DONE: Shocking trade brings former Penn State highly rated profile back to Penn State Nittany Lions
Penn State has been working to fill the void left by star wide receiver Jahan Dotson since he was selected 16th overall by the Washington Commanders in the 2022 NFL Draft. Now, with Dotson back in Pennsylvania, Penn State fans in the eastern part of the state can once again enjoy watching one of their favorite former Nittany Lions on Sundays.
Dotson made a strong impression in his 12-game rookie season, but his yards per reception fell from 14.9 in 2022 to 10.6 in 2023. Following a complete organizational overhaul in Washington and the arrival of a new coaching staff, Dotson has struggled to regain his footing in offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury’s system. On Thursday, he was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles.
Dotson will remain in the NFC East, heading to Philly along with a draft pick in exchange for a 2025 third-round pick and two seventh-round selections.
A rare in-division trade: Washington is sending former first-round pick Jahan Dotson and a fifth-round pick to the Eagles in exchange for a 2025 third-round pick and two seventh-round picks, per sources. pic.twitter.com/ieDX8EvH0s
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 22, 2024
The trade was surprising not only because it occurred between two division rivals but also because it happened so late in the preseason. Dotson will have limited time to adjust to Kellen Moore’s offense in Philadelphia, with Moore being the Eagles’ new offensive coordinator who employs a more complex scheme than Kliff Kingsbury.
In the NFL, Dotson has primarily operated from the slot, and he’ll now be part of a crowded Eagles offense that features two elite outside receivers. While his target volume may decrease, his efficiency with those opportunities is expected to improve significantly.
The Eagles now boast Saquon Barkley in the backfield, who signed with Philadelphia as a free agent this offseason, and Dotson as their WR3 behind A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith. Although Dotson won’t replicate his 2021 dominance at Penn State, where he amassed 1,182 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns, he’s joining a much more dynamic offense on a Super Bowl-contending team.
Penn State fans will be pleased to see Dotson in a better position to succeed, and those in Philadelphia will have even more reason to cheer for one of the most exciting Penn State wide receivers of the last decade.
— Penn State Football (@PennStateFball) August 22, 2024
This homecoming for the Nazareth, PA native could breathe new life into his NFL career and provide a boost to a Philadelphia offense that faltered during a late-season collapse last year.