Jahan Dotson wanted this week to be different than last week.
In his second NFL preseason action, Saturday against the Kansas City Chiefs, Dotson was a target two times from Carson Wentz. On both occasions, Dotson made the reception for a total of 23 yards.
As opposed to his initial NFL preseason action last week, when at FedEx Field against the Panthers, Dotson made no catches as he was not even the target on any Washington quarterback passes.
Saturday it was clear that Commanders offensive coordinator Scott Turner wanted to get the ball into Dotson’s hands as soon as possible. On Washington’s first possession starting from its own 23, Brian Robinson went off right guard for three yards. On 2nd & 7 from the 26, Wentz faked a handoff to Robinson off left guard, looked left and passed a wide receiver screen to Dotson.
Dotson had lined up just outside Curtis Samuel (in the left slot). The faked hand-off permitted left guard Saahdiq Charles to run down the line toward Dotson and send a crushing block, freeing Dotson to head upfield.
Then it was great to see center Chase Roullier back from fracturing a fibula against Denver last October, get downfield enough into the second level cutting off the pursuit of his man.
Samuel also provided enough push downfield on a Kansas City defensive back that Dotson picked up 12 yards up to the 38-yard line for a first down. Here is the play on video.
After no catches last week, Jahan Dotson gets the first pass thrown his way on a tunnel screen. Cuts inside a block and works up the field for a first down pic.twitter.com/9TfhJP81gf
— Mark Bullock (@MarkBullockNFL) August 20, 2022
Immediately following the 2-minute warning, Washington had a 1st & 10 at their own 42. Dotson lined up in the slot left, inside of Cam Sims. As Taylor Heinicke took the snap, Sims ran a vertical route up the left side. Tight end Armani Rogers lined up tight right, went into the middle of the field making contact with a second-level linebacker. Dotson broke right, directly off the shield provided by Rogers and was wide open. Heinicke completed the pass to Dotson who gained 11 yards for a first down to the Kansas City 47.
Dotson commented this week how he had not played a game in a long time where he did not catch a pass. His Carolina defender was called for holding on one pattern Dotson ran last week. The rookie from Penn State commented to JP Finlay, “I could have used better technique just to get open and avoid him holding me for that split second to get the ball.”
If Dotson keeps setting such high standards for himself, he is going to be receiving a lot of targets and receptions in the upcoming 2022 regular season.