Recent Penn State star is headed toward first round bust status after latest NFL training camp update

Sometimes, a draft pick is almost doomed from the start. That's how it feels for former Penn State star and current Washington Commanders wide receiver Jahan Dotson. The 16th pick of the 2022 NFL Draft appears to be on the verge of entering first-round bust territory.

He was an accomplished playmaker at Penn State, earning AP third-team All-American in 2021 and producing 91 receptions for 1,182 yards and 12 touchdowns before jumping to the NFL. His scouting reports generally read the same, lauding Dotson for elite hands, smooth routes, and versatility.

But now, entering his third NFL season and first under new head coach Dan Quinn, Dotson is fighting to start with a career journeyman. Per Nicki Jhabvala of the Washington Post, Olamide Zaccheaus might have the edge over Dotson to play.

Dotson produced some exciting plays as a rookie, notably catching seven touchdowns in only 35 receptions. He averaged 14.9 yards per catch and seemed to be comfortable in the slot. He simply didn't see the field enough over the 12 games he was available for, the offense as a whole stunk.

Then, 2023 happened. A ton went wrong with Washington, and Dotson's efficiency fell off a cliff. He caught 49 passes for 518 yards and four touchdowns but brought little to the table that mattered. He nabbed 59 percent of targets, which is fine, but nothing too special.

A coaching change can lead to changes, and Dotson appears to be floundering despite the addition of Jayden Daniels.

Zaccheaus emerging as a potential starter is shocking. The 27-year-old barely played in 2023 for the Eagles despite them desperately needing a third option at the position. He caught a career-high 40 receptions for 533 yards and three touchdowns in 2022.

Comparatively, though, Zaccheaus has been more efficient than Dotson throughout his career. Dotson has the edge in physical upside and touchdown production, but you wonder if there's a confidence issue that will only be fixed via a trade.

As pointed out by Dave Kluge of Footballguys, some of the advanced data was concerning for Dotson early on.

"4th in the league in routes run. 90th in targets per route run. 92nd in yards per route run. 74th in adot. He had the opportunity last year and faceplanted", Kluge wrote on X.

I think that properly encapsulates the issue on the field with Dotson. There's undoubtedly skill with the former Penn State star in there, but the production is awful, and not bouncing back with a better QB and offensive coordinator is going to put him on the brink of fighting for his career.