Jahan Dotson’s Offensive Rookie of the Year odds explode after Week 1

So, about that Washington Commanders’ receiving corps. Pretty good, right? Seemingly every Commanders fan had high hopes for the revamped receiver room, but did anyone expect the group to come out guns blazing in Week 1?

Terry McLaurin and Curtis Samuel are established veterans at this point in their careers, so it wasn’t all that surprising to see them step up.

But Jahan Dotson? Coming through with two clutch touchdowns in his NFL debut? Probably not surprising if you’ve followed along since the draft.

Dotson made a strong impression on Washington’s coaching staff at rookie minicamp and his stock went on to skyrocket during OTAs and training camp. He didn’t see a ton of targets in preseason and his four targets Sunday ranked fourth on the team behind Antonio Gibson, Samuel and Logan Thomas, respectively.

And yet, Dotson made the most of his opportunities. The No. 16 overall pick finished the game with three catches for 40 yards and two touchdowns, including the game-winning 24-yarder with less than two minutes remaining in regulation.

Following the performance, Dotson is now FanDuel’s betting favorite to win the Offensive Rookie of the Year award at +800 odds.

Commanders’ WR Jahan Dotson the betting favorite to win Offensive Rookie of the Year after his electric debut.

Dotson is somehow tied with George Pickens at +800 even though the Steelers receiver managed just one catch for three yards in his debut. Whatever, though. What matters is Dotson has overtaken Kenny Pickett for the top spot.

When the dust settled on Week 1, Dotson ran the most routes (40) of any rookie wideout and was the only rookie to catch a touchdown. And he caught two, including the game-winner, which required elite concentration to haul in.

It’s pretty clear NFL writers and the national media didn’t give Dotson nearly enough respect entering the regular season. Guys like Pickens, Breece Hall, who fumbled in his debut, Drake London, Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave all got more love for Offensive Rookie of the Year.

The latter three players all performed well in Week 1, and it’s still a wide-open race with sixteen games remaining, but it’s time to take notice of Dotson. Some folks who had hit the snooze button all offseason are starting to come around.

Dotson obviously isn’t going to score two touchdowns every week and his target share will fluctuate from week to week especially if McLaurin gets more looks, but he’ll be right in the thick of the OROY race if he continues to maximize his opportunities.

Given that his hands, route-running and understanding of the game are beyond his years, he seems like a safe bet to do just that.

Look out, NFL. Dotson has arrived.