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As we look toward the 2023 regular season, we count down the most important players for the Washington Commanders ahead of training camp. On Monday, No. 9 was left tackle Charles Leno Jr.
We continue our countdown today with No. 8, wide receiver Jahan Dotson.
The Commanders spent a first-round pick on Dotson in 2022 because Curtis Samuel was injured during his first season with Washington in 2021, and Dyami Brown struggled as a rookie.
Dotson got off to a fast start, winning the Pepsi Rookie of the Week award for his two-touchdown debut in a Week 1 win over the Jaguars. He would catch touchdowns in two of his next three games before a hamstring injury sidelined him for five weeks.
When Dotson returned in Week 10, he didn’t exactly pick up where he left off. He caught two passes for 27 yards in his first three games back from injury.
However, beginning in Week 13, Dotson finished his rookie season on a strong note. In his last five games, Dotson caught 21 passes for 244 yards and three touchdowns. Dotson was targeted 35 times.
Throughout this offseason, Dotson has been a popular pick as Washington’s breakout player for 2023. Even Dotson sees himself having a breakout season.
Under new offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, Dotson will get his opportunities. In the one game he played with quarterback Sam Howell in Week 18, the pair showed good chemistry, as Dotson caught three passes for 72 yards.
The Commanders head into the 2023 season with an excellent group of wide receivers featuring Terry McLaurin, Dotson, Samuel, and Brown. Washington needs Dotson to stay healthy if it wants to improve upon last season’s pedestrian offensive numbers. Dotson’s presence can also make things easier for McLaurin.