3 winners (and 2 losers) from Commanders 2024 offseason overhaul
By Dean Jones
Winner No. 2
Jahan Dotson - Commanders WR
Things didn't go according to plan for the Washington Commanders offense in 2023. Expectations were through the roof thanks to Eric Bieniemy's arrival. It didn't take long to figure out that the play-caller wasn't going to be the answer.
The Commanders lacked the right balance offensively. Bieniemy adopted a pass-happy approach despite the offensive line fluffing their lines constantly in pass protection. Sam Howell spent the campaign running for his life and the skill positions also failed to meet their targets aside from ultra-consistent wide receiver Terry McLaurin.
Jahan Dotson was tipped for a major breakout campaign under Bieniemy's guidance. The former first-round pick had moments of quality, but it was nowhere near what many pundits envisaged entering his second season in a professional environment.
Dotson needs to shoulder his share of the blame, too. He struggled with concentration and couldn't create consistent separation. The jury is still out for the former first-round pick as a result, but the Commanders are giving him another shot to prove himself under the new regime looking at their offseason moves.
Washington drafted Luke McCaffrey in the third round and signed Olamide Zaccheaus in free agency. Nothing else arrived in terms of reinforcements, which was a supreme vote of confidence in Dotson's ability to make improvements within Kliff Kingsbury's expansive offensive scheme.
The Commanders also drafted the quarterback Dotson wanted, which should help. Jayden Daniels looks like the franchise-altering presence under center this team desperately needed. If things click between the signal-caller and the third-year wideout immediately, expect to see improved production across the board.
This could be a last-chance saloon situation for Dotson. Anything less than progress and improved consistency will likely see the Commanders diminish his role. A rousing effort is needed and the player appears confident things can start trending upward with the fresh injection of energy across the franchise.
Getting off to a strong start is crucial. However, there remains optimism around Dotson's potential to become a focal point in 2024.