Eagles Jahan Dotson struggles while AJ Brown benefits from Superhuman

PHILADELPHIA – Jahan Dotson appeared to get the kiss of death as an Eagles wide receiver when head coach Nick Sirianni praised him for his blocking skills when asked why Dotson doesn't score much.

Remember, the Eagles traded a third-round draft pick to Washington in August to acquire Dotson, the Commanders' first-round pick in 2022, as their third wide receiver. The Eagles also received a fifth-round pick.

Still, Dotson has only had six catches for 35 yards in seven games. He played 43% of the snaps in the Eagles' 37-17 win over the Bengals on Sunday and didn't have a single target, let alone a catch. That likely won't change when the Eagles take on the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday at 4:05 p.m.

But when asked about Dotson's role, Sirianni praised his blocking.

It was similar to what former coach Doug Pederson said about Nelson Agholor and Mack Hollins when they, too, weren't catching many passes.

“I know the ball didn't get to Jahan on Sunday, but I noticed he got his butt off and got our running game going,” Sirianni said. “There's a play on the bubble (screen) by Saquon (Barkley) that we threw to him and (Dotson) got a block, played hard and strong and was able to get that block.”

Some of this was to be expected.

After all, top receivers AJ Brown and DeVonta Smith get the bulk of the targets, and running back Saquon Barkley is second in the NFL in rushing with 766 yards.

But Dotson also had his chances. Brown missed three games early in the season with a hamstring injury, and both Brown and Smith missed the game against the Buccaneers on September 29. As the No. 1 receiver on the day, Dotson had two catches for 11 yards, season highs in both game categories.

In the three games since Brown and Smith returned, Dotson has totaled just one catch for 10 yards. Brown had a reception of at least 40 yards in two games, and Smith had one in the other.

Despite all this, Dotson handled his situation well. Dotson was the third receiver in Washington behind Terry McLaurin and Curtis Samuel. Still, Dotson had at least 500 receiving yards in each of his first two seasons.

“Honestly, that would have bothered me when I was younger,” Dotson said of not winning the ball. “I think I'm in better shape now and it's about challenging myself to get better every day. It's about helping the team and whatever my role is, helping to win football games, whether I have the ball in my hand or not.” .

“Of course I want football and you just prepare as best you can when the opportunities arise.”

That brings us back to Brown and Smith – and to Barkley, who Brown called “superhuman” and that defenses must account for him.

This often leaves Brown or Smith in single coverage. And everyone made their opponents pay for it. Brown had a 40-yard reception late against the Browns that sealed the game. The next week, Brown beat single coverage on a fourth-and-3 for a 41-yard touchdown against the Giants.

Then last Sunday against the Bengals, Smith beat single coverage for a 45-yard TD.

“(Barkley) can change the game at any time, and the defense has to be accountable for that,” Brown said. “So sometimes they fill the box and we get favorable matchups and we just have to take advantage when we get those favorable matchups.”

“And (Barkley) has to take advantage if they don’t load the box.”

That's exactly what happened. The Eagles have averaged 28.3 points per game over the last three games. QB Jalen Hurts has a passer rating of 127.4 in this run. And Barkley has averaged 110.3 yards rushing per game.

Even tight end Grant Calcaterra, filling in for the injured Dallas Goedert, who will likely miss his third straight game with a hamstring injury, has made eight catches for 130 yards since Goedert left the lineup.

Other than the honorary blocking wide receiver role, there isn't much left for Dotson.

“I think he’s showing up and being patient,” Hurts said. “Some things don’t always reflect where he is, but he’s working. He takes it day by day. Like everything else, he’s just waiting for his chance, for his number to be called.”

Brian Thomas Jr. or Quinyon Mitchell?

The Eagles could have targeted the third wide receiver in the draft. LSU wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. was still available at No. 22 overall. The Eagles brought in Toledo cornerback Quinyon Mitchell.

Mitchell, of course, has been a starter since Week 1 and is probably the Eagles' best defensive back. So the Eagles have no regrets.

However, Thomas was taken by the Jaguars with the next pick. His 573 yards passing ranks sixth in the NFL. Granted, Thomas wouldn't have as many yards ahead of the Eagles with Brown, Smith and Barkley. But he would definitely have more than Dotson's 35.

Is Thomas worth more as a third receiver than Mitchell as a top cornerback? No, but it would have been (more) fun to watch the Eagles offense.

Contact Martin Frank at [email protected]. Follow on X @Mfranknfl, on Threads and Instagram @martinfrank1.

Brian Thomas Jr. or Quinyon Mitchell?

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