OPINION: New England Patriots should inquire about this former first-round wideout.
The Patriots are in a bit of a pickle with their receiving corps.
Who will get the final spot?
Ja’Lynn Polk and Javon Baker will be present, having been drafted to develop alongside Drake Maye and, hopefully, become mainstays of the offense. Demario Douglas, K.J. Osborn, and Kendrick Bourne are locks who will most likely form the starting lineup after the latter returns from injury. Jalen Reagor appears to have done enough to save his job as a kick returner.
New England must make a choice on Tyquan Thornton and Kayshon Boutte, who have been battling for what is likely to be the final seat in the room — as long as Bourne is unable to return by the beginning of the season.
On Thursday, Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn said he was “right in the middle” of determining who would be the team’s primary option outside of Terry McLaurin. This sparked speculation that former first-round pick Jahan Dotson could be a potential replacement.
“DQ didn’t draft me,” Dotson, the No. 16 pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, told the Washington Post. “Every year… in your profession, you have to prove yourself. You must prove your merits and capabilities. That’s what I’m attempting to accomplish.”
Washington might be content with one of the players now battling with Dotson for the position of WR2.
“I’ve been really impressed with Olamide (Zaccheaus), and I thought he’s had a really strong camp,” Quinn remarked last week. “I’m looking forward to getting Luke (McCaffrey) some extra work here, (and then) Jahan (and) Dyami (Brown).”
How does New England fit into this small scenario?
The Patriots have some extra draft capital stashed away and, in the proper situation, might be interested in completing a trade for Dotson.
“The more Commanders coaches talk, the more I wonder if Jahan Dotson is on their Week 1 roster,” NFL reporter Gregg Rosenthal wrote on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, on Friday. Washington would not cut him, but there’s a legitimate possibility that they’ll try to recuperate some value while moving on without a player who has slightly underperformed.
Dotson has 84 catches for 1,041 yards and 11 touchdowns in 29 games, but his performance has slowed in his second season in Washington. It’s evident that he can contribute, but his skill set may be better suited to a squad that will give him plenty of opportunities. Last season, he blasted the Patriots for four receptions, 69 yards, and a touchdown.
New England should not be seeking to sell the farm for Dotson, but if Rosenthal’s findings are correct, they may be able to get in at the appropriate price. The Patriots might make a more appealing fifth-round pick than others.
It’s worth a chance, and given that these two clubs meet for a preseason showdown next Saturday, we might begin to see something come together.
