ASHBURN, Va. — Initial dismay existed over the Washington Commanders trading Jahan Dotson. Three months later, no angst remains.
The Commanders’ current wide receivers — a “group by committee,” quarterback Jayden Daniels said — have been more effective than many expected after Washington sent its projected No. 2 wideout to the Philadelphia Eagles in August.
The fit between Dotson, Washington’s 2022 first-round pick, and the new coaching staff never materialized. Instead, they found traits with the non-Terry McLaurin targets, such as pure speed (Dyami Brown), toughness (Olamide Zaccheaus) or versatility (Luke McCaffrey). Signing Noah Brown before Week 1 added size.
Win or lose in Thursday’s first head-to-head meeting of the season with NFC East-leading Philadelphia (7-2), Washington (7-3) is the apparent trade victor even without its primary benefit — draft compensation — yet to impact the team’s status.
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Dotson, the 16th player selected in the 2022 NFL Draft, led Washington with seven receiving touchdowns as a rookie despite missing five games. His 2023 numbers weren’t impressive (49 receptions for 518 yards and four touchdowns), but they were far better than Dotson’s stats with Philadelphia: Eight receptions for 98 yards and zero touchdowns in nine games.
Eight Washington players have more receptions than Dotson, including all five receivers on the active roster. McLaurin has matched or topped Dotson’s 98 total receiving yards in five different games. Dotson’s catch percentage (receptions divided by targets) is 53.3 (8-of-15). Of Washington’s eight players with at least 12 targets, all are 65.8 percent or higher.
Trading Dotson didn’t automatically lead to the Noah Brown addition, but a vacancy sign existed. Brown has emerged as the de facto WR2; he matched McLaurin’s 57 (of 64) offensive snaps against Pittsburgh. The rugged 6-foot-2 target is also tied for the league lead in drawing pass interference penalties (five). Like the entire room, Brown is a willing blocker.
“Everybody sees what Terry is doing, but the other guys come in and they do their job,” Daniels said. “Those are the people that work extremely hard. When the ball comes their way, they’re able to make plays, and they do the dirty work.”
The Commanders received a 2025 third-round selection (and two seventh-rounders) for Dotson and a fifth-round pick. Initially owned by the Miami Dolphins, the extra third allowed general manager Adam Peters to feel more “comfortable” moving the team’s third-rounder to New Orleans for Marshon Lattimore, a four-time Pro Bowl cornerback. Even following Monday night’s victory, Miami is in range for a top-10 pick.
To recap: The Commanders lost no production at receiver, used assets from the trade to address a position of need and still have a full complement of 2025 draft picks for a player seemingly out of the rotation for a division rival Washington plays next. So far, so good.
When will Lattimore play?
Pittsburgh quarterback Russell Wilson connected with his receivers for three touchdown passes on Sunday, including the eventual game-winning 32-yarder to Mike Williams with 2:22 remaining, ending Washington’s three-game winning streak. The scoring plays highlighted why the Commanders pushed for Lattimore.
Problem: The 28-year-old with an injury history might need additional time before making his on-field debut.
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Lattimore missed his final game with the Saints and his initial contest for the Commanders due to a hamstring injury. That the cover corner did not practice on Tuesday makes a third consecutive missed game a strong possibility. He was also given a “DNP” designation for Monday’s walk-through.
Coach Dan Quinn said cornerback is one position that “can be easier from a learning standpoint” since the primary transition is terminology. Even if Lattimore can pass any pop quiz, there’s a “balance” the coaching staff must consider before thrusting him into game action.
“It’s the speed part that we have to see to make sure he can really do his thing,” the defensive-minded coach said.
No Lattimore would mean facing an Eagles passing attack that torched the Commanders in two games last season for 626 yards and six touchdowns — four to wide receiver A.J. Brown. This is an essentially new roster and coaching staff in Washington, but the defense hasn’t kept up with playmaking receivers throughout the season.
The Commanders rank near the bottom of the league in touchdown passes allowed (17) and opposing quarterback rating (102.5). Seven touchdown tosses went to No. 1 targets:
• Mike Evans (five catches, 61 yards, two TDs)
• Malik Nabers (19 catches, 186 yards, one TD in two games)
• Ja’Marr Chase (six catches, 118 yards, two TDs)
• Marvin Harrison Jr. (five catches, 45 yards, one TD)
• George Pickens (five catches, 91 yards, one TD)
Baltimore’s Zay Flowers didn’t score a touchdown but had 132 yards on nine receptions in Week 6.
In six games this season, the hulking A.J. Brown has posted at least five receptions and 84 receiving yards five times, with at least one 40-plus-yard reception in four games. DeVonta Smith, the speed threat from the slot or perimeter, reached at least 76 yards five times and has four touchdowns.
Overall, Washington has avoided allowing chunk plays in bulk. Only the Minnesota Vikings have allowed a shorter “long reception” than the Commanders (44 yards), and 25 receptions surrendered of at least 20 yards rank middle of the pack. The rub is that when teams want to target their best, that path is working. That likely continues until Lattimore gets the green light.
The Commanders’ secondary has struggled against top wideouts this season. On Thursday, they’ll have to face two in DeVonta Smith and A.J. Brown. (Heather Barry / Getty Images)
“I think I have a really good chance,” Robinson said about playing Thursday.
He spoke optimistically about returning after missing the past two games with a hamstring injury. The power back has acknowledged that the final call isn’t his to make, but the staff would have him on the field if possible.
The Commanders were held to 60 yards rushing in Sunday’s loss to the Steelers. That’s partly because the Pittsburgh defense was disciplined in the rush lanes, which for Daniels meant “taking me out of zone-read” situations. Not having Robinson’s interior rushing presence made that approach simpler.
Right tackle Andrew Wylie (shoulder) also sounded the optimistic alarm after being available only if needed against the Steelers. Wylie said he was “very close” to playing Sunday and feels he is trending in the right direction for Thursday. Washington’s other injured tackle, Cornelius Lucas (ankle), practiced on Tuesday, unlike kicker Austin Seibert (hip) and special teams stalwart Nick Bellore (knee).
Percentage of drops rising
The Commanders’ receiving targets had a hand in Sunday’s loss.
Three dropped passes through six games were tied for the second-fewest in the NFL. Their receptions per target (75.9) ranked first. Then, the script flipped. Over the past four weeks, the Commanders’ eight drops are tied for fifth worst. They are 23rd in receptions per target (66.4). Two drops came in the 40-7 throttling of the Carolina Panthers. Then there were three against the Chicago Bears in Week 8, and another three against the Steelers.
Such unforced errors happen weekly around the league. Pittsburgh also had three in Sunday’s game. However, beyond Daniels, what has the Commanders humming overall through 10 games is the ability to avoid botching the little things. Every team wants a try-hard roster. Those without top-shelf talent have no choice but to play nearly mistake-free, especially against contenders who can match their energy.
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The drops are spread among seven players, led by tight end Zach Ertz (three) and wide receivers McLaurin and Zaccheaus (two each). Washington’s 11 drops overall are tied for 11th with the Dallas Cowboys, among other teams. Hardly a disaster. The New York Giants (26) are another story, but the Commanders are also behind the Eagles (seven).
Quinn emphasized daily practice sessions in hopes that the rise in drops plateau.
“Are we doing things right? Are we getting the right drills? Are we getting the right focus on the things? When those are right … (progress) jumps back up again,” Quinn said. “I’m looking forward to seeing us improve that spot.”
Stat of the week
Fans were irked by Sunday’s controversial spot by the referees, which left Washington short of a first down on a fourth-and-9 pass to Ertz. The sequence also highlighted one of the tight end’s concerns: yards after the catch.
The 34-year-old is amid a comeback season with 37 receptions in 10 games, providing Daniels with a steady target. However, among 29 tight ends with at least 30 targets, Ertz ranks 29th in YAC (88). Of his 37 receptions, 11 went for at least 4 yards after the catch, but none more than 8 yards.
(Top photo of Terry McLaurin and Noah Brown: Mark J. Rebilas / Imagn Images)
