The Washington Commanders made a bold move by trading Jahan Dotson to their NFC East rival, the Philadelphia Eagles, but they may have a reliable, albeit overlooked, veteran in Jamison Crowder to fill the void.
At 31 years old, Crowder is no longer in his prime, but his experience and familiarity with the slot receiver position could make him a valuable asset in Kliff Kingsbury’s offense. Notably, Kingsbury’s system has historically relied on slot receivers, with his Arizona Cardinals teams ranking second in total slot receptions from 2019 to 2022.
Why Crowder Could Be the Answer
Despite limited involvement last season, Crowder’s skill set aligns well with the Commanders' current needs.
- Proven Slot Ability: He has been one of the more reliable slot receivers over the years. From 2019 to 2021, he recorded 140 receptions from the slot, ranking ninth among all NFL wide receivers.
- Familiarity with Washington: Crowder, who was initially drafted by Washington in 2015, returned to the team in 2023 and has retained value, particularly as a punt returner.
- Preseason Usage: He logged 108 slot snaps in 2023 and has seen increased slot opportunities in preseason games, suggesting Kingsbury sees a role for him.
Washington’s WR Depth Chart Post-Dotson Trade
Trading Dotson leaves Terry McLaurin as the clear-cut WR1, but the rest of the receiving corps remains unproven:
- Olamide Zaccheaus – A speedy deep threat but lacks consistency.
- Dyami Brown – Talented but yet to establish himself as a reliable target.
- Luke McCaffrey – The rookie possesses size (6’2", 198 lbs) and potential but remains untested.
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Crowder’s experience in the slot could give him the edge in securing playing time over McCaffrey and Zaccheaus, providing rookie QB Jayden Daniels with a dependable underneath target.
Can Washington Rely on This WR Group?
The biggest question following the Dotson trade is whether Washington has enough receiver depth to support their rookie quarterback. The move has drawn skepticism, with Sharp Football Analysis' Warren Sharp questioning the decision to trade Dotson without a clear replacement.
Still, if Crowder re-emerges in Kingsbury’s system, he could be a stabilizing presence in the offense. While McCaffrey and Zaccheaus offer promise, Crowder's experience and reliability in the slot could make him the go-to option in Washington's passing game this season.
