Washington Commanders wide receiver Jahan Dotson is a favorite breakout pick for 2023. The second-year wide receiver from Penn State led the Commanders in touchdown receptions as a rookie despite missing five games.
And with one of the NFL’s best wide receivers opposite of Dotson — Terry McLaurin — he should receive plenty of one-on-one opportunities.
In the last five games of 2022, Dotson received 35 targets, an average of seven per game. That bodes well for 2023, even in a different offense. Dotson has made it clear how much he believes in new offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy.
In Friday’s preseason opener against the Cleveland Browns, Dotson caught a 26-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Sam Howell early in the second quarter. The touchdown had social media buzzing due to the separation Dotson created on his brilliant route.
On Saturday, ESPN analyst — and former NFL quarterback — Dan Orlovsky weighed on Dotson’s touchdown, calling the route “filth.”
This is filth @JahanDotson
Reminds me of Keenan Allen pic.twitter.com/S4nL5dAra3
— Dan Orlovsky (@danorlovsky7) August 12, 2023
Orlovsky compares Dotson’s route running here to Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen — a five-time Pro Bowler.
“This route by Dotson is pretty special,” Orlovsky said. “It’s man coverage in the slot. Look at the burst of speed he gets. Man coverage, push vertical, and this moment where he bursts to sell that defender that he’s going to cross the field………… It’s hard to get wide open like that in the NFL. Sick route.”
Orlovsky isn’t saying Dotson is Allen, but he’s comparing the route running, as Allen is often considered the NFL’s best route runner. High praise from Orlovsky.
Dotson has it all: Speed, route running, hands and an impressive catch radius for his size.
If Dotson stays healthy in 2023, watch out.