Tag: Jahan Dotson

Should the Commanders trade for 49ers star WR Brandon Aiyuk?

Would the Commanders look to make a trade with the 49ers to land an impact wide receiver?

The Washington Commanders could use some help at wide receiver. Washington has Terry McLaurin, 2022 first-round pick Jahan Dotson and lots of unproven commodities.

Curtis Samuel departed in free agency and is now in Buffalo. The Commanders are still waiting on Dyami Brown, and Jamison Crowder is in more of a supporting role at this stage of his career. Mitchell Tinsley and Kazmeir Allen will battle to earn a roster spot in training camp.

With nine picks in the 2024 NFL draft, Washington could look to add a receiver on day two. The 2024 receiver class is loaded, and you will be able to find contributors in the fourth round.

But…..what if the Commanders traded for some help at wide receiver?

Who would Washington trade for? How about San Francisco 49ers star Brandon Aiyuk?

Why Aiyuk? First, he’s good—really good. So why would San Francisco trade him? For one, the 49ers already paid Deebo Samuel and have a ton of big contracts on the books. They may not be able to afford what Aiyuk will command.

Aiyuk is heading into his fifth NFL season in 2024. He’s a free agent after the upcoming season. Ahead of this year’s NFL draft, his value will never be higher.

Back to the Commanders. They still have plenty of salary cap room and do not have a ton on the books in future years. Washington is a perfect trading partner for San Francisco. Most importantly, the Commanders have the picks to satisfy the 49ers without trading the No. 2 overall pick.

Trading for Aiyuk and pairing him with McLaurin would give the Commanders one of the NFL’s best duos. Add in Dotson, who could play in the slot, and that’s a dangerous trio.

Then, there is the new Washington GM, Adam Peters. Peters came to the Commanders from the 49ers, where he spent the past eight seasons. He was a major decision-maker in selecting Aiyuk in the first round of the 2020 NFL draft.

There is one more connection. Aiyuk played at Arizona State in 2018 and 2019. His quarterback for his final season with the Sun Devils was Jayden Daniels. Daniels, along with North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye, are the top contenders to land in Washington with the second overall pick.

Daniels and Aiyuk are reportedly close.

A trade still seems unlikely, as Peters must find a left tackle early in the 2024 NFL draft. It would probably only take one of Washington’s two second-rounders, in addition to another pick, to land Aiyuk. For as much as Peters has talked about using the draft to build the roster, it seems unlikely he’d part with too much draft capital. However, in this instance, he’d be trading for a player he knows and likes.

Anytime you can add an impact player, you do whatever is possible to land that player. With a new quarterback coming, adding another talented wideout wouldn’t be the worst thing for Washington.

Commanders have the 5th-cheapest offense in the NFL for 2024

This number will certainly go up after the draft.

New Washington general manager Adam Peters quickly began working on improving the Commanders’ roster when free agency kicked off last week. Peters has signed 21 players, but only four were with Washington last season.

Much of Peters’ attention in the early stages of free agency has been focused on defense — for good reason. The Commanders were dead last in most defensive metrics in 2023. With new head coach Dan Quinn and upgrades at defensive end and linebacker, Washington should be much better defensively next season.

The offense needs work, too. It underachieved in 2023 for multiple reasons. Offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy is gone after one season, making way for Kliff Kingsbury. The Commanders also traded quarterback Sam Howell, paving the way for a rookie to start.

With several holes remaining on offense, the Commanders will likely use the draft to upgrade multiple positions, including quarterback, offensive tackle, wide receiver and tight end.

Washington’s focus on improving the defense was needed. But how much have the Commanders invested in offense in 2024? According to Warren Sharp, using data from Over the Cap, Washington has the 28th most expensive offense—or fifth cheapest—with $82.8 million committed on that side of the ball next season.

That number will change. The Commanders still have plenty of cap space to add an expensive veteran should one become available and still sign a large draft class.

Washington will likely take a quarterback at No. 2 overall. Last year’s No. 2 overall pick, C.J. Stroud, signed a four-year deal worth $36.9 million with a cap hit of $6.6 million as a rookie.

The Commanders’ most expensive player is wide receiver Terry McLaurin, who will count $24.1 against the cap in 2024. Washington’s most notable offensive free agents thus far have been running back Austin Ekeler, quarterback Marcus Mariota and center Tyler Biadasz.

On Sunday, we’ll take a look at Washington’s defensive spending for 2024.

Five NFL trades that need to happen

From former first-round quarterbacks to star wide receivers, these are five trades that need to happen around the NFL

Well, here we are. It’s that part of the year where the Super Bowl just finished and we’re all just sitting with blank stares waiting for the new league year to begin in a month.

In that dead time, though, there will be plenty of speculation on upcoming free agents, as well as players that could be traded once teams are allowed to do so. With that in mind, these are five trades that need to happen.

Bobby Engram to return as Commanders wide receivers coach

Bobby Engram is the third Washington assistant set to return in 2024.

As Dan Quinn continues to fill out his first coaching staff for the Commanders, another holdover from Ron Rivera’s staff will return in 2024.

Former NFL player and veteran coach Bobby Engram will return next season as Washington’s wide receivers coach, per Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post. Engram was hired by Eric Bieniemy last offseason and joins quarterbacks coach Tavita Pritchard coaches who’ll be on Quinn’s staff.

Washington’s wide receivers took a step back last season, although that had more to do with Bieniemy’s offense than Engram’s coaching. The Commanders’ wideouts had issues separating consistently, and Washington’s route concepts were often criticized.

Engram, 51, is a former second-round pick of the Chicago Bears. He played 14 NFL seasons and finished his career with 650 receptions, 7,751 receiving yards and 35 touchdowns. His coaching career began immediately after playing with the 49ers in 2011.

In his 13-year coaching career, Engram has had stops with the 49ers (2011), Pitt Panthers (2012-13), Baltimore Ravens (2014-21) and Wisconsin (2022) before coming to Washington in 2023.

One person happy that Engram was back: Wide receiver — and fellow Penn State alum — Jahan Dotson.

Engram, Pritchard and Ryan Kerrigan will all return in 2024, with Kerrigan taking on the role of outside linebackers coach/pass rush specialist.

The only position offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury must fill on his staff now is running backs coach. Former running backs coach Randy Jordan is now in Tennessee.

6 Commanders’ players who will benefit the most from a coaching change

These players will benefit from Washington’s coaching changes.

The Washington Commanders look a lot different now than they did one month ago. Sure, the roster hasn’t changed yet, but beginning with new general manager Adam Peters and head coach Dan Quinn, Washington’s vision is beginning to take shape.

The day after Quinn’s hiring became official, we learned who would lead the Commanders’ offense and defense. Washington hired former Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury as offensive coordinator, while Joe Whitt Jr. followed Quinn from Dallas to be his defensive coordinator.

Quinn’s coordinator hirings drew praise from around the league.

From their responses on social media, some Washington players appear to be happy with the coaching moves.

We look at six players who will benefit the most from the coaching moves.

Commanders’ players react to Kliff Kingsbury’s hiring

Two of Washington’s top offensive players fired up about Kliff Kingsbury’s hiring.

Change is in the air in Washington. Last week, the Commanders hired Dan Quinn as head coach. He will be introduced to the media on Monday. This came two weeks after Washington landed the most coveted general manager candidate in the NFL, Adam Peters.

On Sunday night, Quinn began building his coaching staff. First, the news broke that the Commanders had hired former Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury as offensive coordinator. Washington hired Cowboys secondary coach Joe Whitt Jr. as defensive coordinator shortly afterward.

Washington players were already excited about the hiring of Peters and Quinn, with defensive tackle Jonathan Allen saying he was looking forward to next season.

After news broke of Kingsbury’s hiring, two prominent Washington players shared their excitement over the move via X, formerly Twitter.

First, wide receiver Jahan Dotson.

Dotson had a promising rookie season in 2022. However, the former first-round pick took a big step back statistically in 2023 under new offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy. Kingsbury’s offense will be fun for Washington’s wide receivers.

Also, Washington’s leading rusher, Brian Robinson Jr., weighed in on the news:

Robinson had a bit of a breakout season in 2023, but Bieniemy’s offense was last in the NFL in rushing attempts. And while Kingsbury’s Air Raid offense is pass-heavy, he runs the ball much more frequently than many assume.

Washington players appear ready for the new era.

 

Jahan Dotson recruiting Micah Parsons to join him on the Commanders

Former Nittany Lions receiver wants Micah Parsons to join him on the Commanders

It was reported yesterday that the Washington Commanders were hiring former Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator and former Atlanta Falcons head coach Dan Quinn.

Former Penn State linebacker [autotag]Micah Parsons[/autotag] was drafted the same year Quinn took over the defense in Dallas, and both were a huge part in leading a resurgent Cowboys defense. With Parsons and Quinn in the fold, the Cowboys were a top-5 defense in the past three seasons.

Parsons is known for his quips with the media, and a few weeks ago, Parsons was asked about Quinn’s future, as many suspected his name to be at the top of many teams’ shortlists.

“Dan’s my guy,” Parsons said via NFL.com. “And if he do leave me, it’s always love. He might take me with him, you never know.”

Parsons, who will be in the market for a new contract this summer, said this while laughing right next to Jerry Jones’s office. Jones and the Cowboys will have no intention of getting rid of their best player, but Parsons’ fondness for Quinn was well taken.

Once the news broke of the Commander’s new head coach, former Penn State and current Washington wide receiver [autotag]Jahan Dotson[/autotag] went to social media to try and recruit his former college teammate.

Obviously, no one except perhaps desperate Commanders fans should take this seriously. Parsons is a Cowboy, and every sign points to him being there for the foreseeable future. But we can all get behind two former Nittany Lions having some fun banter.

Follow Charlie Strella on Twitter, Threads, and Instagram.

Jahan Dotson already recruiting Cowboys LB Micah Parsons to Commanders

Dotson joked with Parsons on Twitter over the Cowboys’ star’s comments about Quinn.

Dan Quinn spent three seasons as the defensive coordinator of the Dallas Cowboys before he was named head coach of the Washington Commanders on Thursday.

Quinn was hired as Dallas’ defensive coordinator in 2021, the same year the Cowboys drafted Penn State linebacker Micah Parsons at No. 12 overall. Parsons quickly developed as one of the NFL’s best defensive players, and the Cowboys finished as a top-five defense in each of Quinn’s three seasons.

As the Cowboys prepared for the wild-card game against the Packers last month, Parsons was asked about Quinn’s future, knowing he was set to interview with multiple teams for their head coaching vacancies.

“Dan’s my guy,” Parsons said via NFL.com. “And if he do leave me, it’s always love. He might take me with him, you never know.”

Commanders wide receiver Jahan Dotson — Washington’s 2022 first-round pick, also from Penn State — remembered his former college teammate’s quote last month and reminded him on Twitter after Quinn’s hiring.

Dotson jokingly recruited Parsons to Washington.

No one should take this seriously. Parsons is under contract, and Dallas would never let him leave — especially to go to Washington. This was a case of one friend having some fun with his former teammate.

Washington fans certainly wouldn’t mind Parsons in the burgundy and gold.

Commanders new GM Peters on roster: ‘We have a lot of work to do’

What does Adam Peters think of Washington’s current roster?

At his introductory press conference on Tuesday, new Commanders GM Adam Peters was asked a direct question: “I wonder what you think of the current roster?”

Peters gave his reply, and those listening closely should have discerned this guy was not giving some ‘Pollyanna’ response on his first day before the home-team media.

“I believe there’s a few cornerstone pieces in this roster. I believe we have a lot of work to do. And that’s just evaluating everybody, and that’s going to start with the coaches when the coaches come in.”

“We will hire a head coach and sit down with the personnel department, evaluate everything and figure out where we need to be. That’s an on-going process I’ve started a little bit. But we have a lot of work to do.”

Did you catch what he said? He did not say there are “many” significant players on the roster. Nor did he say “several”. He used the description “few.” It was followed immediately by “I believe we have a lot of work to do,” and he also closed that response with, “But we have a lot of work to do.”

Bookends, in his response, pointed to the fact that the Commanders have a lot of work to do with their roster. Not merely in general but in the context of their roster. And Peters is altogether correct.

Ron Rivera was the head coach and head of personnel decisions regarding the draft. Rivera’s four first-round draft choices were Chase Young (2020), Jamin Davis (2021), Jahan Dotson (2022) and Emmanuel Forbes (2023).

Doesn’t that speak volumes? With Tua Tagovailoa and Justin Herbert available, Rivera wanted Young in 2020. Then, the last three first-round choices were all reaches, being selected earlier than projected.

Not a single player of Rivera’s four first-round choices has proven they were worthy of a first-round choice. It may be that they will, but for now, they clearly have not.

Peters was absolutely correct and direct concerning the current roster.

He does have a lot of work to do.

4 reasons the Commanders should be concerned about the Cowboys

We list the reasons why the Commanders should be concerned with the Cowboys. There are many.

The Washington Commanders (4-12) host the Dallas Cowboys (11-5) in the regular-season finale on Sunday. We list four reasons why the Commanders should be concerned:

There is an incentive for Dallas in this year’s game

The 2022 season finale saw Dallas come to Washington needing an Eagles loss to the Giants for the Cowboys to have any hope of winning the division. This season, the Cowboys hold that possibility in their own hands. Win, and the Cowboys are the number two seed, which means they would play the first two rounds at AT&T Stadium, where they are undefeated in 2023.

The Cowboys defense could be suffocating

The Washington offense only produced ten points in the first meeting. In this meeting, the offensive line will be without Tyler Larsen and Charles Leno. The offense was supposed to be much better in 2023, with offensive coordinator Scott Turner being fired and Eric Bieniemy being hired as his replacement. However, the Commanders continue to average less than 20 points a game (19.9), which is 23rd in the NFL. The Cowboys are surrendering only 190 passing yards a game which is fifth in the NFL. Look for Sam Howell to be harassed on many of his passing attempts.

The Dallas offense will generate explosive plays

It appears unavoidable, but the Commanders pass defense is next to last (31st) in the NFL. They give up explosives, week after week. They surrender 259 passing yards a game. Meanwhile, the Cowboys passing offense is fourth in the NFL averaging 255 yards a game. It’s a deadly combination/matchup. The only way the Commanders can prevent some big Cowboys passing game plays is to generate an effective pass rush.  However, their pass rush has been virtually non-existent since trading Montez Sweat and Chase Young.

This season can’t end soon enough for the Commanders

This week saw Ron Rivera not exactly endorsing Eric Bieniemy as a head coach candidate. Rivera then declared he has been managing for 3.5 seasons and finally coaching the last five weeks, and Jahan Dotson stated there really was a culture problem with the Commanders. Rivera, however, has been the coach-centric director of all football operations in his four seasons, including the power of trading, drafting and hiring his own coaching staff.