PHILADELPHIA — When the Eagles signed star working again Saquon Barkley to a three-year, $37.75 million deal at the beginning of free company in March, receiver Jahan Dotson responded on social media: “Whose MUT workforce is that this?” — the “MUT” standing for Madden Final Staff.
Now he is a part of the improve for a corporation clearly working in Franchise Mode.
The Eagles despatched a third-round decide and two seventh-round picks to the Washington Commanders Thursday for Dotson and a 2025 fifth-round decide. In doing so, they answered one of many final remaining questions on their personnel on offense.
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Briefly, the Eagles have been struggling to establish a 3rd extensive receiver to play alongside standouts A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith. Veterans Parris Campbell, John Ross and Britain Covey all obtained work with the primary workforce as did rookie Johnny Wilson. Whereas every had good moments, nobody separated from the pack and so they continued to separate reps all through coaching camp.
Dotson, 24, is available in because the clear favourite to imagine that WR3 position. In two seasons with Washington, Dotson caught 84 passes for 1,041 yards and 11 touchdowns whereas taking part in with a rotating forged at quarterback that included Carson Wentz, Taylor Heinicke and Sam Howell.
He supplied some spotlight moments since being chosen sixteenth total within the 2022 draft out of Penn State however his play lacked consistency. His 13.4% targets per route run (78th out of 80) and 0.86 yards per route run (78th out of 80) each ranked among the many lowest on the extensive receiver place final season, per ESPN Stats & Info, whereas his 7.4 drop share final season was Tenth-highest within the NFL.
He should benefit from what’s going to seemingly be restricted alternatives, no less than comparatively talking. The passing offense runs by Brown, Smith and tight finish Dallas Goedert. Philadelphia additionally has plans to get Barkley into the passing sport combine. There are solely so many targets to go round.
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However there may be purpose to consider this will likely be a match. Offensive coordinator Kellen Moore has proven this summer season that he plans on shifting receivers round greater than the Eagles have in current seasons to present defenses totally different appears to be like and assist create favorable matchups. Dotson is taken into account at his finest within the slot however does have sufficient versatility (he lined up outdoors for 217 snaps final season in comparison with 669 inside) to permit Smith and Brown to kick inside when wanted. And his velocity (4.43-second 40-yard sprint on the mix) will assist draw loads of consideration downfield, permitting much more room for this star-studded forged to function.
It is a good wager Brown vouched for Dotson. The 2 have educated collectively within the offseason at Florida Atlantic College beneath Joey Guarascio. Brown has credited Dotson for pushing him in velocity coaching specifically.
“You would inform by the primary exercise I had with him, his want to be nice,” Dotson mentioned final November. “We would do sprints and stuff like that. I would ask Coach Joey, ‘What did A.J. run this morning?’ and would be certain I attempted to beat it. And I am fairly certain he was doing the identical factor.”
He additionally has the Nittany Lions ties with Barkley, although the 2 missed one another by one 12 months at Penn State.
Whereas the Eagles gave up an honest quantity of commerce capital for Dotson, they’d two third-round picks within the 2025 draft earlier than the commerce, in order that they have one left. Eagles normal supervisor Howie Roseman presently has seven picks to work with in ’25, together with three fifth-rounders.
The truth that Washington was keen to half with Dotson with two years remaining on his rookie deal illustrates that he didn’t reside as much as expectations. He was unable to lock up the second receiver spot reverse Terry McLaurin this summer season.
However the ask in Philly will likely be totally different: to maintain defenders trustworthy, and reply the bell when his quantity known as.
