Washington Commanders rookie wideout Jahan Dotson was taken with the No. 16 overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft.
With rookie minicamp taken place this past weekend, the Penn State star intended to skip his big day in Happy Valley to attend his first minicamp with his new Commanders teammates.
But that’s when his new head coach Ron Rivera stepped in and excused the prized rook.
Can’t even explain how blessed I am. Constantly thanking the man above. 🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/BMp6tQfUxT
— Jahan Dotson (@JahanDotson) May 7, 2022
“I was ready to skip the graduation and be out here at practice,” Dotson said. “But (Rivera) said that’s a once in a million type of thing. He was all for me going, so I honestly hadn’t even thought about skipping practice until he kind of brought that up.”
Dotson’s former head coach James Franklin was also elated to hear his former star wide receiver would be able to participate in graduation festivities. The former Big Ten Coach of the Year even tweeted his thanks.
Thanks Coach Rivera #WeAre https://t.co/sKOukISLTg
— James Franklin (@coachjfranklin) May 6, 2022
Dotson Realized That The Graduation Was Bigger Than Just Him
Dotson’s expressed his feelings about how important this moment was to his legacy.
“Many people in my family haven’t achieved this goal, so it’s pretty big for me and my family to be able to achieve this goal of graduating college,” Dotson said.
“Can’t explain how blessed I am, constantly thanking the man above.”
And another notable Penn State graduation today: Washington’s first-round pick, @JahanDotson, also received his degree today.
📸 @Commanders pic.twitter.com/aXHK0PYTsQ
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 7, 2022
Dotson Should Be A Huge Complement To Washington’s Offense
Dotson isn’t the most physically imposing wide receiver. Standing just 5 feet 11 and 190 pounds, Dotson uses elite route-running, great top-end speed and an unreal catch radius at under six feet to make those tough contested catches.
Heading into the draft, NFL Network analyst Bucky Brooks ranked him No. 4 on his top-five receivers in the draft list. He was behind the likes of Drake London (USC), Jameson Williams (Alabama), Garrett Wilson (Ohio State) and in front of Chris Olave (Ohio State). Dotson ended up being drafted after the other four. Washington moved back five spots, hoping he’d still be available, and it paid off.
In his pre-draft assessment of Dotson, Brooks the draft guru spoke highly of the Penn State speedster.
“Dotson is a “catch-and-run” specialist with outstanding speed, quickness and burst. The Penn State standout is a scheme-friendly playmaker capable of filling a variety of roles s an inside-outside threat.”
Dotson is the Nittany Lions’ first wideout taken in the first round since 2003.
Will Jahan Dotson be a first-round pick in next month's #NFLDraft? #PennState has had three receivers selected in the first-round all-time in the draft.
– Bryant Johnson (2003, Arizona)
– O.J. McDuffie (1993, Miami)
– Kenny Jackson (1984, Philadelphia)— Nittany Lions Wire (@NittanyLionWire) March 27, 2022
He will help the Commanders passing attack immediately, providing offensive coordinator Scott Turner and new quarterback Carson Wentz a weapon capable of playing in the slot or outside the numbers.
His ability to take the top off the defense and move the chains will be a welcome sight for star wideout Terry McLaurin who hasn’t had a complementary pass catcher during his three-year NFL career.
The new college graduate will play a huge role in how the Washington Commanders perform in 2022.
