8 biggest surprises and disappointments for Commanders so far in 2022

The Washington Commanders ended their four-game losing streak Thursday night in Chicago, but the win did little to suggest a turnaround is in the works as they needed a plethora of Bears mistakes to squeak out the victory.

With six games in the rearview and the Commanders currently enjoying a mini bye week before they host the struggling Packers on Sunday, now seems like a good time to point out the team’s biggest surprises and disappointments.

Biggest surprises and disappointments for the Commanders in 2022

Surprise: Jahan Dotson

It’s not necessarily a surprise that Jahan Dotson has been this good. It’s more like a pleasant surprise. But who actually thought the 2022 first-round pick would have four touchdowns in four games? That leads the Commanders entering Week 7 and no other wideout has more than two scores and Terry McLaurin only has one.

Dotson’s missed the last two games with a hamstring injury and to say Washington has missed his red zone presence would be an understatement. We’d like to see him get more involved throughout the same (same can be said for McLaurin), but we suppose that’s on the coaching staff more than anything else.

In any event, Dotson was a phenomenal pick.

Disappointment: Kendall Fuller

One of the best cornerbacks in the NFL last season, Fuller has experienced an unprecedented fall from grace. In six games, Fuller’s 46.7 coverage grade from PFF ranks 88th out of 105 qualified cornerbacks. His 22 receptions allowed are the 10th most at the position. Those catches have gone for 389 yards. He allowed 632 yards in 16 games last year and is currently on pace to blow past that number.

Perhaps the most damning stat is that opposing QBs have a 137.1 passer rating when targeting Fuller in 2022. The 29-year-old has improved the last two games, allowing a total of five catches for 51 yards, but that progress was undone against the Bears when he got beat deep for a Dante Pettis touchdown.