Why do I keep reading articles at DLF saying that the Commanders traded up to get Dotson. They traded BACK from 11 to 16 and then drafted him.
Thank you! I am really shocked this keeps getting written. I actually find that is a REALLY important distinction: Olave and Williams were available to them at 11, but they booted to get more value picks because they clearly felt Dotson had more than enough talent that they wouldn’t regret not taking one of the other two. On the flip side, had they traded UP to get Dotson, they’d have been trying to avoid needing to take Burks (who should be good, but does not remotely fit their team) or one of the other WRs who they clearly felt were a dramatic drop in talent. Those are very different narratives to me: the former indicates they may believe he’s only marginally worse – or flat-out comparable – to some of the best talent in the draft, whereas the former implies he may have been the last of what was palatable in terms of talent.
I think Dotson will be the most surprising breakout coming down the pike. Not because his talent is questionable, but because the community undervalues him. He didn’t garner the hype that others did coming into the draft. Even before Watson went to GB he was getting hype, while Dotson was always the more talented receiver yet stayed under radars.
His talent will carry him to production sooner or later. He had a 3.5% drop rate in his college career, his hands are massive. It’s almost serendipitous that he gets Wentz as QB, one who struggles with accuracy gets a receiver who has a wildly large catch radius. I think if they sign Terry long term, this could be an intense duo of receivers. Terry is elite in his own right, and Dotson will be one of the most reliable pair of hands in the league, fair to assume very productive in PPR. I don’t love the commanders this year but I think these receivers will surprise, especially Dotson.
And if we’ve learned anything from the AJ Brown and crowd lesson, it’s not a lock that great WR’s are re-signed by their teams. Even if both sides want it. The $$ is in charge. Hence, McClaurin may or may not stay and get signed for big $ down the road. Ya never know. Hence, bet on the talent – if you believe in it. Not sure I do yet on Dotson.
