Trades between NFL teams in the same conference are rarely seen, but last week, the Philadelphia Eagles agreed to terms on a deal to acquire Jahan Dotson from their NFC East-rival Washington Commanders.
While the trade wasn't earth-shattering, it did raise a few eyebrows. As Pro Football Talk highlighted, the last time the two franchises made a trade was 14 years ago when Philadelphia sent Donovan McNabb to Washington.
On Tuesday, Eagles general manager Howie Roseman addressed the trade, which included a 2025 third-round pick and two seventh-round picks going to the Commanders in exchange for Dotson and a 2025 fifth-round pick. Roseman admitted that he has some concerns about any deal within the division, but felt comfortable with this move.
“I certainly don’t think they’re trying to help us by any stretch of the imagination,” Roseman said regarding the Commanders. “So, I think that you’re always kind of concerned about trading within the division.”
Roseman said the Eagles worked a lot with Dotson during the draft process and "really liked the player," per PFT.
“There was an opportunity there to get the player, obviously give up a second-day draft compensation, which is important for all of us, but we felt like it was worthwhile based on what we knew, what we thought that we needed, and made the trade,” Roseman added.
Dotson was the No. 16 pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. While his numbers haven't quite lived up to the expectations of a first-round selection, he had a solid two-year stint in Washington, catching 84 passes for 1,041 yards and 11 touchdowns over 29 games. However, his yards, touchdowns and yards per reception all declined in 2023 from his rookie campaign.
The Eagles have pulled off a few impressive trades in recent years, headlined by the deal to acquire A.J. Brown in 2022. While Dotson isn't expected to make the level of impact Brown has for the organization, his skillset and upside are undeniable.
The deal puts the Eagles in position to walk away with another productive addition capable of making an impact immediately in 2024.
