2022 NFL Draft: Washington Commanders take Jahan Dotson No.16 overall

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MAR 02: Jahan Dotson #WO07 of the Penn State Nittany Lions speaks to reporters during the NFL Draft Combine at the Indiana Convention Center on March 2, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MAR 02: Jahan Dotson #WO07 of the Penn State Nittany Lions speaks to reporters during the NFL Draft Combine at the Indiana Convention Center on March 2, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)

The Washington Commanders hope that by drafting Jahan Dotson No.16 overall, it is a step in the right direction after an offseason filled with turbulent drama. 

It’s been an eventful offseason thus far for the Washington Commanders, notably a name change and a barrage of incidents involving owner Daniel Snyder.

At the same time, the roster, which at one point was good enough to win the NFC East, is now back in a familiar position, at or near the bottom of the division, though the Giants currently occupy the cellar.

Thanks to a trade with the Saints, Washington has earned extra draft capital to work with, and given how the board has fallen, they get to be methodical with their approach. Plus, Ron Rivera likes to have multiple picks.

So, with the 16th pick, the Washington Commanders take Jahan Dotson out of Penn State. He is not exactly the flashiest player, but given what he did in Happy Valley, there is a reason for optimism in the nation’s capital.

Jahan Dotson brings a level of speed and reliability to the Washington Commanders.

Though Terry McLaurin has established himself as a threat for the Commanders, he needs a sidekick alongside him and Curtis Samuel. Moreover, when Carson Wentz steps on the field, he needs wide receivers to help him thrive. He’s done well when he has good speed players around him.

His Penn State career concluded with 2,757 receiving yards and 183 catches for 25 touchdowns. In other words, he loves to score with the football in his hands. This can help in DC if the team adds protection to their offensive line later in the draft.

Washington did what they needed to do so far, but the rest of the draft will tell the true story if the franchise deserves high marks instead of relying upon one pick to determine the final grade of the team’s test.