NFL Rumors: Eagles WR3 upgrade could become available on trade block

Star receivers A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith are firmly established as the Eagles’ lead pass-catchers, but there isn’t much proven talent behind them.

The team signed speedy WR Parris Campbell as a potential third option, hoping for a bounce-back year after failing to produce in New York (not his fault the Giants are piss).

Unfortunately, Campbell has been injured throughout training camp, leaving the WR3 job up for grabs. Rookie receivers Johnny Wilson and Ainias Smith are waiting in the wings (Wilson has been more impressive of the two), but it would be unrealistic to expect substantial contributions from either in 2024.

Luckily for Philadelphia, the perfect solution may become available soon.

According to Gregg Rosenthal of the NFL Daily Podcast, who is pretty plugged in around the league, Commanders WR Jahan Dotson could be on the move ahead of Week 1.

the more Commanders coaches talk, the more I wonder if Jahan Dotson is on their Week 1 roster

— Gregg Rosenthal (@greggrosenthal) August 16, 2024

With new head coach Dan Quinn running the show in Washington, Dotson must earn his keep on the team. Quinn stated last week that the WR2 battle is wide-open but wasn’t shy about naming Olamide Zaccheus as a camp standout.

“I would say we are right in the middle of it,” Quinn said of the WR2 search. “You’ll see two, three, four, five, there’s a lot of guys that are really battling.

I’ve been really impressed with Olamide [Zaccheaus], I thought he’s had a really strong camp. Looking forward to getting Luke [McCaffrey] some extra work into here, Jahan [Dotson], Dyami [Brown], so that’s where we’re at.”

Despite playing 81.8% of the team’s offensive snaps last season, Dotson is now trying to win over his coaches, a new reality that he isn’t hiding from.

“DQ didn’t draft me,” Dotson said, per the Washington Post’s Sam Fortier. “Each and every year, in your profession, you got to prove yourself. You got to prove what you’re worth and what you’re capable of doing. That’s what I’m trying to do.”

The former first-round pick had a productive rookie season, catching 35 passes for 523 yards and seven touchdowns in just 12 games. Dotson failed to build on that performance in 2023, recording just 518 receiving yards while starting all but one game in a pass-heavy offense.

Still just 24 years old (with two years left on his rookie contract), Dotson is a proficient route runner with reliable hands. Third receivers have historically played a vital role in Kellen Moore’s offenses; a change of scenery could be just what the doctor ordered for Dotson’s career.

The Eagles have already brought one former Penn State star home this offseason; they might as well acquire another.

Route was nice from @jahandotson
Celebration was nice from Taylor Heinicke

📺: #NYGvsWAS on NBC
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/BooZSZJZF4 pic.twitter.com/fW4ZQkteun

— NFL (@NFL) December 19, 2022

Mandatory Credit: Getty Images