Jahan Dotson traded to the Eagles: The Dynasty Fantasy Football Impact
With cutdown day coming up here in a matter of just a week or so, transactions are going to start getting hot and heavy. The Eagles and Commanders got things rolling early on today when the Commanders traded the former first round pick and a 2025 fifth-round pick to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for a third-round pick and two seventh-round picks in 2025. It’s a surprising move but legitimizes some rumors we’ve been hearing about Dotson’s performance or, perhaps more importantly, the performances of some others on the Washington roster that ultimately made him expendable. Let’s spin around the Commanders and Eagles roster to see what kind of value changes we expect.
Jahan Dotson, WR PHI
Dotson was the 16th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, ahead of other receivers like Christian Watson and George Pickens. Unfortunately, his career has just never really gotten off the ground. Over his two years in Washington, Dotson has posted a rather pedestrian 84/1,044/11 line in 29 career games – those are numbers appropriate for a WR3, not a franchise receiver to build around. In the end, Dotson was clearly a disappointment in Washington and the Commanders decided to cash out.
This is the kind of deal that comes out of left field, though Dotson was reportedly being outplayed in camp by both Dyami Brown and Olamide Zaccheus in training camp. He’s going to slot in as the third receiver for the Eagles behind AJ Brown and DeVonta Smith. It’s a move that certainly doesn’t help his dynasty value as the former first rounder won’t likely see anything like the 83 targets he had last season. His 49/518/4 line from last year seems reasonable to achieve but the thoughts of him having a third year breakout and becoming a 1,000-yard receiver likely just went up in smoke. Expect his ADP to start falling from this point forward.
Eagles Receivers
This move really means very little for the likes of AJ Brown and DeVonta Smith – they’re going to command the lion’s share of the targets. Brown (106/1,456/7 last year) and Smith (81/1,066/7) form one of the most dynamic duos in all of football. However, the trade will impact players like Parris Campbell, Johnny Wilson, and the rest of the depth players. This trade represents a tough break especially for Campbell, who was trying to make a significant impact this year after a lost season with the Giants. Campbell and Dotson are different players but there simply aren’t enough targets to keep everyone happy in the receiver room. As for Wilson, his shine as a rookie dynasty sleeper pick is dimmed a little with this move as well.
Dyami Brown, WR WAS
The trade of Dotson clearly paves the way for Brown to have a much bigger role in the Commanders offense this year. While he hasn’t done much in his three years (62/476/3), he’s also only had 62 career targets. If the Commanders don’t make other moves, that number could change dramatically this season. Brown is clearly now on the sleeper radar and worth a roster spot in dynasty leagues. He’s shown flashes before and the reports from camp were glowing this off-season. It really looks like this trade was as much a vote of confidence in Brown as it was disappointment in Dotson. Dynasty managers should respond accordingly.
Olamide Zaccheus. WR WAS
Ironically, the former Eagle could be one of the reasons why Dotson is a current Eagle as his training camp has reportedly been fantastic. Zaccheus is still a ways away from being relied on in dynasty leagues but you can see a runway here for him to be successful. A strong case can be made for him to be on dynasty rosters at this point.
Luke McCaffrey, WR WAS
He’s certainly not his brother but the jettisoning of Dotson helps his case for not just a roster spot, but a real role on the offense. You could do a lot worse than McCaffrey in the late round of a rookie draft.
Terry McLaurin, WR WAS
McLaurin was always going to be the WR1 in Washington but this move just makes him even more important. Perhaps one of fantasy football’s more underrated players, McLaurin will look to build on his four straight 1,000-yard seasons this season and could have a big season should Jayden Daniels prove to be worth the hype.
Jayden Daniels, QB WAS
Speaking of Daniels, he’s been named the starter and you can bet the Commanders must have faith in Brown, Zaccheus and McCaffrey or they would have never moved Dotson. When a quality receiver leaves, it seldom helps a quarterback. However, it’s hard to look at this move and say it moves the needle much either way for Daniels.
Jalen Hurts, QB PHI
It’s hard to say this really helps Hurts but it also clearly isn’t a bad thing. He’s on the hot seat a bit this year after an off season but we’ve seen him excel before and he has the weapons to be an elite QB1 with or without Dotson.
Ken is on Twitter at DLF_KenK
