WR Jahan Dotson worked as the Commanders' primary slot man in the team's preseason opener against the Jets. He opened the game in the slot, with Terry McLaurin and Dyami Brown as the outside WRs. According to Pro Football Focus, Dotson matched McLaurin's and QB Jayden Daniels' 11 first-team snaps -- while Brown totaled just four. Dotson went on to play some with the second unit as well, though, after McLaurin and Daniels left. Dotson also remained in the slot when Olamide Zaccheaus replaced Brown for some three-WR sets with the first team. That's especially noteworthy, because Zaccheaus played 61% and 68% of his snaps in the slot the past two years (in Atlanta, then Philly).
OC Kliff Kingsbury got a lot of production from his slot WRs in Arizona. According to Pro Football Focus, the Cardinals' 434 catches by slot WRs from 2019-22 ranked second-highest in the NFL over that span.
Dotson should remain the primary outside guy across from McLaurin in two-wide sets as well. But this altered role could help his target count -- which would obviously be good news for his fantasy outlook.
Dotson increased his slot exposure from 26.3% as a 2022 rookie to 42.1% last year but still ceded Washington's primary slot role to Curtis Samuel. Dotson also ran just 16.9% of his career pass snaps from the slot across four college seasons.
That relative lack of exposure could explain why the Commanders kept him on the field for extra reps after the starters left against the Jets.
Dotson's extensive slot usage in the preseason opener isn't good news for the 2024 outlook for third-round rookie WR Luke McCaffrey.
It shouldn't surprise anyone if McCaffrey doesn't crack the team's top 3 at WR this season, given that he spent just the past two years at wideout after beginning college as a dual-threat QB.
McLaurin and Dotson look like the only draftable Commanders WRs for most fantasy football formats. Dotson looks underrated in drafts.
McCaffrey remains an intriguing dynasty stash.
Dotson drew no targets before Daniels left the Jets game and finished with just 2 receptions for 13 yards on three total targets.
He'll likely need to post a big line in an exhibition game to move his ADP significantly.
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