Washington commanders could be forced to trade promising first-round picks due to projected regression

The future seems bright for the Washington Commanders. The Commanders’ new quarterback, Jayden Daniels, marks a turning point in their future.

However, this new age may imply that some players may be unable to make the squad.Jahan Dotson, Washington’s first-round pick from two years ago, may be among those left on the outside looking in.

Should Washington Commanders Pull the Plug on Jahan Dotson?

Chris Trapasso, an NFL analyst for CBS Sports, has compiled a list of players who are entering a pivotal year. Dotson, who followed up a fantastic rookie season with a very poor sophomore run, is one of the guys Trapasso believes has a lot to prove in 2024.

“As a rookie, playing against Terry McLaurin, who is always on the verge of becoming universally acknowledged as a superstar, Dotson caught 35 catches for 523 yards and seven touchdowns on less than 55% of Washington’s offensive snaps. In his second season in the nation’s capital, Dotson played more than 82% of the snaps and saw only a slight increase in receptions (49) with fewer yards (508) and four touchdowns.

“Now, any young receiver should be full of confidence following 11 touchdowns in his first two NFL seasons. Trapasso noted that Dotson’s offensive efficiency decreased in his second season.

It’s not as if Dotson suffered a significant decline in Year 2. However, it’s difficult to deny that his development may have fallen short of most people’s expectations following a fantastic debut season.

This next season, Dotson will undoubtedly have a lot of pressure to prove that he belongs in the youthful Daniels-led core. Failure to do so may indicate that time is running out for the 24-year-old wideout:

“Do I believe the Commanders will automatically trade him if he does not erupt in Year 3?” No. However, if he averages 45-50 catches, 500-ish yards, and a couple touchdowns with Jayden Daniels throwing him the ball in what genuinely signals a new era in franchise history, he is unlikely to be in the team’s long-term plans after the 2024 season,” Trapasso stated.