How the Jahan Dotson trade benefits all Washington receivers

Jahan Dotson is no longer a member of the Washington Commanders, opening the door for some of his former teammates to have an increased role in fantasy football in 2024.

Ian Rapoport broke the news on Aug. 22 that the former Commanders' wide receiver was traded to the divisional rival Philadelphia Eagles. Washington swapped Dotson and a 2025 fifth-round pick for a 2025 third-round pick and two 2025 seventh-round picks.

Many people believe that Washington lost their WR2 in this trade which can be disputed. Yes, there are definitely going to be a lot of potential targets vacated that will be dispersed to players discussed in this article, but Dotson would have likely been more of the WR3 for Washington's offense. We will dive into individual players that will be affected, starting with the alpha of the Commanders' receiving group.

Washington's individual players that will be effected

Terry McLaurin

With Jayden Daniels at the helm, many believe that this is the best situation McLaurin has ever been in in his career, and they are probably right. Even though Dotson was not going to be a huge threat to McLaurin's targets from Daniels, it definitely does not hurt that he is no longer a part of the equation.

McLaurin should be viewed as a WR2 with upside if Daniels can fully unlock his potential. Ranking-wise, he should continue to be viewed as a mid-low WR2, but Dotson being shipped out could increase his ceiling and make it more achievable to get that fantasy WR1 ceiling that he should be seen having in 2024.

Dyami Brown and Olamide Zaccheaus

Dyami Brown and Olamide Zaccheaus have been grouped together because they seem to be the two fighting for the WR2 spot at the Z position in the Commanders' offense with Dotson gone. As of now, based on training camp buzz and what we have seen in Washington's preseason games, it looks like Brown might be winning that battle. He has been running with the starters as the WR2 in camp. Even with Dotson on the team, it looked like Brown was starting to take that role, pushing Dotson into the slot.

Whether it is Brown or Zaccheaus — more than likely Brown — the WR2 in this offense will likely see a valuable role. Both are going practically undrafted in most redrafts, so snagging Brown with your last pick in drafts or off the waiver wire before Week 1 might prove to be worth it. In dynasty leagues, both Brown and Zaccheaus should be off waiver wires with their potential role in the offense.

Luke McCaffrey

Without Dotson, who looked like was going to have Washington's slot receiver role before being traded, the rookie Luke McCaffrey seems to have the best shot at beginning Week 1 starting in the slot. In training camp, the starting receivers in three-receiver sets have been McLaurin, Brown, and McCaffrey.

Don't expect anything crazy from McCaffrey in 2024, but this at least makes him someone to think about at the end of your drafts and a possible waiver wire add early in the season. It should also give him a solid boost in dynasty leagues. McCaffrey now has the opportunity to be a weekly flex play in 2024, especially in deep leagues.

Washington Tight Ends: Zach Ertz and Ben Sinnott

If only Ben Sinnott could be the only one mentioned in this section because he is truly a beast. However, Kliff Kingsbury loves to start Zach Ertz over young stud tight ends for some reason. With targets needing to be dispersed due to Dotson departing, the starting tight end for this team will likely see an uptick in targets, especially in a Kingsbury-led offense.

Both Ertz and Sinnott deserve a slight upgrade in drafts due to the Dotson trade. As of now, Ertz should be the more valuable tight end in redrafts, but Sinnott's talent could just leave Kingsbury no choice but to start him at some point in 2024. Sinnott should be viewed as a valuable tight end in dynasty leagues.

Brandon Aiyuk

It's worth mentioning the possibility that the Dotson trade could have been clearing up space for a big splash wide receiver trade, the most likely one being for Brandon Aiyuk. It has been widely reported after the Dotson trade that the Commanders are back in on an Aiyuk trade, and that the 49ers were not interested in getting Dotson back in a trade for Aiyuk.

If Aiyuk or another star receiver does get traded to Washington, then Brown, McCaffrey and Zaccheaus will not hold much value at all, especially in redraft leagues. McLaurin would get a slight downgrade but would still be valued as a WR2, just with a lower ceiling.