The Eagles added depth to their wide receiver corps on Thursday, acquiring former first-round draft pick Jahan Dotson from the Washington Commanders and a 2025 fifth-round draft pick and sending Washington a third- and two seventh-round picks in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Dotson, the 16th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, plays with quickness and explosiveness and spent much of his time in the slot for the Commanders. He caught 35 passes for 523 yards and seven touchdowns in 12 games in his rookie season, and then came back in 2023 with 49 receptions for 518 yards and four scores.
The Eagles see him as a good fit in an offense that features wide receivers A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, tight end Dallas Goedert, and running back Saquon Barkley as primary pass-receiving targets for quarterback Jalen Hurts. Dotson is a speedster, recording a 4.43 in the 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine.
Dotson had one of the best games of his career last season in a wild 38-31 Eagles win over Washington at FedEx Field with eight receptions for 108 yards, including a 21-yard touchdown grab, on 10 targets. In his rookie season, marred by a hamstring injury, Dotson was twice named the Pepsi NFC Rookie of the Week for his play.
Dotson played collegiately at Penn State and was a star there, recording 183 catches for 2,757 yards and 25 touchdowns in 42 games. Dotson was a standout in the college game from the get go with five touchdown catches in his first three games. He also set a school record with 242 receiving yards in a November 7, 2021 game against Maryland.
Dotson also did damage in the return game, setting the Penn State single-season record with a 24.6-yard punt return average and he earned All-American honors in his final season with the Nittany Lions.
The Eagles agreed to acquire wide receiver Jahan Dotson from the Commanders on Thursday. Here are 10 things you need to know about the team's newest addition.
Did you know? Jahan Dotson and Saquon Barkley just missed each other at Penn State. Barkley left after his junior year in 2017, Dotson began his freshman year in 2018. The former Nittany Lions also went to high school in PA just 15 miles apart from each other.
Dotson was selected by the Commanders with the 16th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.
In two years with the Commanders, Dotson brought in 84 receptions for 1,041 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Dotson holds the Penn State single-game receiving record with 242 yards against Maryland (11/7/21). He also finished his collegiate career tied for second all-time in career receptions and receiving touchdowns, and fourth in receiving yards in Penn State history.
Dotson, a Pennsylvania native, attended Nazareth Area High School and spent one year at the Peddie School in New Jersey. He was a four-star prospect out of high school while also lettering in basketball and track.
Dotson averaged 14.9 yards per catch in his rookie season – including a career-high seven touchdowns – which was a team-best.
The speedy receiver ran a 4.43 40-yard dash at the NFL Draft Combine.
Dotson played in 42 career games at Penn State with 38 starts, he recorded 183 receptions for 2,757 yards and 25 touchdowns.
Familiar in the East – Dotson racked up 270 yards and three touchdowns in six games against NFC East opponents last season.
The 24-year-old will enter Year 3 in the NFL.
