3 winners (and 2 losers) from the Commanders trading Jahan Dotson

Loser No. 2

Ron Rivera - Former Commanders HC

Adam Peters wasn't the biggest fan of Ron Rivera's roster-building strategy. The Washington Commanders were going nowhere fast under the previous head coach. It was a four-year reign littered with dismal personnel moves that ensured this once-proud franchise stayed rooted among the NFL's bottom feeders.

Jahan Dotson's trade to the Philadelphia Eagles is another Rivera first-round selection that didn't meet their targets.

Chase Young was shipped out last season to the San Francisco 49ers for a compensatory third-round pick that was used on wide receiver Luke McCaffrey. Jamin Davis is making a transition to edge rusher after an underwhelming stint at linebacker. As for Emmanuel Forbes Jr.? His status is hanging by a thread after just one season.

This is a surefire way for an organization to fail. Rivera didn't get many of his selections lower down the order right either. His flawed personnel evaluation was exposed in the worst possible way. Peters is working hard to ensure these issues don't become damaging to his hopes of getting the Commanders back to prominence.

The mess Rivera left behind - despite an opinion to the contrary - was significant. And make no mistake, anyone drafted under his regime aside from a select few should be nervously looking over their shoulders.

Winner No. 3

Jahan Dotson - Former Commanders WR

Jahan Dotson probably saw the writing on the wall. He's found himself playing a lot of preseason reps while the other projected starters came out after a series or two. Dan Quinn was noncommital when talking about the WR2 spot. It seemed this wasn't going to be a great fit for the wideout whether he got the chance to stick around or not.

The trade ended an underwhelming two years in Washington for Dotson. Although naturally disappointed, things have a way of working out. He's also landed in a pretty decent spot all things considered.

Philadelphia is expected to be among the postseason challengers in 2024. Working alongside A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith provides one-on-one opportunities to showcase his talent. He'll have quarterback Jalen Hurts getting him the football, which is a major upgrade on anything the pass-catcher has had previously.

Getting cast aside will sting for a bit. What's important for Dotson is using this as extra motivation in pursuit of reaching his pre-draft billing elsewhere. Getting the chance to stick it to the Commanders twice a season only adds more fuel to the fire.

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