There is a lot on the line for many Washington Commanders players next season. It's a chance to start fresh and impress a new coaching staff. It's the opportunity to be part of something special with exciting plans for the future in place.
These raised expectations increase the sense of urgency. Mediocrity and subpar effort will no longer be tolerated. Not if the Commanders want to drag themselves out of the proverbial abyss and back to respectability.
Jahan Dotson is under more pressure than most. It's been a decent enough start for the wide receiver over his first two seasons in the league. However, it's nowhere near where the Commanders hoped from someone taken No. 16 overall in the 2022 NFL Draft.
It's a make-or-break year for Dotson. Anything less than firmly establishing himself as an explosive weapon within Kliff Kingsbury's system comes with huge ramifications. Especially considering the wideout's fifth-year option decision is due in 2025.
Commanders need more from Jahan Dotson in 2024
This was a topic brought up by Chris Trapasso from CBS Sports. While he acknowledged the Commanders might not give up on the player just yet, another indifferent campaign without an upward curve makes it difficult to envisage those in power depending on the wideout long-term.
"In his sophomore season in the nation's capitol, [Jahan] Dotson played more than 82% of the snaps and only saw a minor uptick in receptions (49) with fewer yards (508) and four scores. Now, any young receiver should be exuding confidence after 11 touchdowns in his first two NFL campaigns. But Dotson was clearly less efficient as an offensive weapon in his second season. Do I think the Commanders would automatically trade him if he doesn't erupt in Year 3? No. But if he hovers around 45-50 snags with 500-ish yards and a few scores with Jayden Daniels throwing him the football in what truly marks a new era in franchise history, then he's unlikely to be in the team's long-term plans after the 2024 season."
- Chris Trapasso, CBS Sports
Dotson has the talent. Becoming more consistent as a route-runner and cutting out individual errors is the next big challenge to overcome.
Things look more promising for the offense following a busy offseason. Dotson has a genuine franchise quarterback to develop chemistry with after the Commanders took Jayden Daniels at No. 2 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft. Kingsbury should also find ways to scheme the pass-catcher open and maximize his ability to generate yards after the catch. That's two major positives working in the Penn State product's favor.
If Daniels hits the ground running and the offensive line holds its own, everyone should benefit. With the added motivation to silence some increasing doubters, that's all Dotson needs to remind people why he was such a highly touted recruit coming out of college.
The Commanders drafted Dotson to form a potentially potent duo with Terry McLaurin. That hasn't occurred as yet, but things look more promising thanks to some significant renovations to the team's offensive dynamic throughout Adam Peers' first recruitment period as general manager.
It's a high-stakes situation for Dotson. Hopefully, it'll be the making of him.
