Commanders HC's WR comments hint at trouble for former first-round pick

The Washington Commanders had high hopes when they selected Jahan Dotson with the 16th overall pick during the 2022 NFL Draft.

Thus far, the wideout hasn't met the organization's expectations, recording 84 receptions for 1,041 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns across 29 games in his first two seasons.

Now, entering year three, Dotson is battling as the team's second wide receiver option behind 2022 Pro Bowler Terry McLaurin, according to Commanders head coach Dan Quinn.

The first-year man at the helm told reporters on Thursday that some of Dotson's main competition includes undrafted 27-year-old pass catcher Olamide Zaccheaus, rookie third-round pick Luke McCaffrey and 2021 third-round pick Dyami Brown.

"We are right in the middle of it," Quinn said. "You’ll see a lot of guys in today. You’ll see two, three, four, five. There are a lot of guys that are really battling. I’ve been really impressed with Olamide, I thought he’s had a really strong camp. Looking forward to getting Luke some extra work into here. Jahan, Dyami, so that’s where we’re at, and then the special teams is going to have a factor in that as well."

Zaccheaus began his career with the Falcons in 2019, who Quinn coached then. The Virginia product made little impact in his first two seasons in Atlanta, while Quinn was still with the team before posting his best numbers in 2021 and 2022.

He played in all 17 games during both seasons, making 21 starts combined. Zaccheaus recorded 71 of his 104 career receptions between the two campaigns and six of his 10 touchdowns. He also collected over one-third of his career receiving yards in 2022, when he finished with a high mark of 533, which was second on the team.

While Zaccheaus appeared in all 17 contests for the Philadelphia Eagles in 2023, he struggled to find room for targets behind star wideouts A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, finishing with only 10 catches for 164 yards and two scores on 20 looks.

Brown has played 47 games across his three seasons with the Commanders, making just seven starts, and has posted 29 catches for 476 yards and three touchdowns.

McCaffrey spent two seasons as a quarterback at Nebraska before transferring to Rice for one more year under center, though he was only a part-time starter. He switched to wide receiver for the 2022 and 2023 campaigns with the Owls and led the American Conference in receiving touchdowns (13) last season.

The 23-year-old has a rich family history of football players. He's the son of former Pro Bowl wideout Ed McCaffrey and younger brother of former college quarterback Dylan McCaffrey, former NFL wide receiver Max McCaffrey and San Francisco 49ers All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey.