Fantasy Football Impact of Jahan Dotson Trade | Do A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith and Jayden Daniels See their Fantasy Values Drop?

Assessing the Eagles, Commanders trade that took place on Thursday and what it means for fantasy players on each team.

An NFL trade between two division foes took place on Thursday, and while it wasn’t a huge deal, it’s worth discussing a little bit at least.

Let’s break down the trade between the Washington Commanders and Philadelphia Eagles and what it means for the offensive fantasy players on both teams.

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Trade Details

The Commanders sent Jahan Dotson to the Eagles in the deal. A fifth-round pick was also sent to Philly. The Eagles sent a third-round pick and two seventh rounders back.

Dotson was a first-round pick of the Commanders in 2022. In his rookie season, he had 35 receptions on 61 targets for 523 yards and seven touchdowns. In 2023, Dotson had 518 yards and four scores on 49 catches and 83 targets.

A trade winner/loser obviously won’t be determined until all of those picks are made, but Dotson is a decent enough option (in real life and fantasy) to discuss how each team is affected by the move.

Eagles Fantasy Outlooks

A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith are the clear top wideouts in Philly, but the team has lacked a solid No. 3 option. Dotson should immediately step into a starting role alongside Brown and Smith.

While I think the addition of Dotson maybe means a few less targets and a little less production for Brown and Smith, I don’t think it’s enough to move their ADPs all that much. It does make drafting Brown and Smith just a touch more risky, but I don’t think Dotson’s presence is going to alter their final numbers all that much.

Parris Campbell was the receiver most likely to start alongside Brown and Smith before the trade, and his fantasy outlook definitely takes a hit after this. He wasn’t a fantasy option outside really deep leagues, and now he can just be treated as a waiver wire option for sure.

Rookie wideout Johnny Wilson probably sees the field a little less now too after the trade. He had a decent chance to overtake Campbell as the third starter at some point this season, but now will likely only be the fourth option at best at any point this upcoming year. I still like Wilson in the long run, so I’d still take a shot on him in dynasty leagues.

Having a legit third receiver to throw to should help quarterback Jalen Hurts as well. It might not affect his numbers too much, but maybe his completion percentage gets a little boost, along with a couple more TD passes and less interceptions. 

I’m wondering if Hurts’ rushing stats take a little dip though. It’s not like Hurts won’t attempt runs when a play breaks down, but a competent third receiver makes those kinds of plays a little less likely now. I’d still take Hurts around his current ADP, but be even more confident in that pick after this trade.

Saquon Barkley won’t see much of a difference in his rushing stats after the trade, but he might be targeted just a few less times in the passing game. He’s still a great fantasy option early in drafts. Maybe the extra playmaker also means Barkley won’t be overused, and then he can get through the season without dealing with a bunch of injuries.

Tight end Dallas Goedert might see a few less targets as well, so I’d expect a slight drop in his ADP. He’s a backup fantasy option at this point anyways, so the trade isn’t going to alter anything a crazy amount. 

As for Dotson, he was a borderline draftable player in standard leagues before the trade. I think his fantasy stock takes a little hit because Brown and Smith are there - and this is just a better offense all around. 

I’d treat Dotson as a streaming/waiver wire option in standard leagues, and not draft him in those leagues. He’s a good deep league option, especially because he could be a big part of the offense if Brown or Smith ever miss games. Dotson already had a better QB throwing to him this season than in the past, but now he’s on a much better offense, which should allow him to play free and easy and maybe take his game to a new level.

Commanders Fantasy Outlooks

I’m pretty surprised Washington made this move, especially with a rookie quarterback heading into the regular season.

Terry McLaurin was always the clear cut No. 1 receiver, and now his fantasy stock rises with one less wideout to deal with. Rookie Luke McCaffrey also should get a decent fantasy bump without Dotson there, while Olamide Zaccheaus should have his starting spot locked in now.

McLaurin should see his ADP rise a bit between now and the regular season, and if you already drafted and got him around his current ADP, there’s a good chance he’s a draft steal (if he can remain healthy all season). The only thing fantasy owners need to be aware of is McLaurin’s ADP rising too far, which definitely could happen after the trade and before the season kicks off. We’ll monitor that and more in our ADP stories, so check back for those.

The trade sets McCaffrey up for a big rookie season too. He should pretty easily see the field now, which is always the first step to fantasy success. McCaffrey might not see his ADP rise all the way to being a late standard league draft option, but he deserves consideration at least.

McCaffrey is a good deep league option, and an even better pick in dynasty leagues now. He’s set up for success and just needs to form a strong connection with rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels to unlock his potential.

Zaccheaus was not that great of a fantasy option before the trade, and while his value does rise a bit after the deal, it’s not enough to draft him outside really deep leagues. He and the remainder of the Washington wide receivers are all waiver wire options at the start of the season.

The trade might help the team’s tight ends out the most. Zach Ertz is the veteran option, while John Bates and rookie Ben Sinnott are backup pieces. Bates is unlikely to become a fantasy asset despite being second on the depth chart.

Ertz is now a better streaming option in standard leagues, but he’s still not a player to try to draft late. See if he can maybe carve out a decent enough role to be fantasy relevant before adding him.

I think the move helps Sinnot the most. He’s had a solid preseason and could now see the field more without Dotson around. He could become a standard league option as long as he’s on the field enough. Sinnott’s fantasy value rose in all formats, but he’s best as a deep league and dynasty option for now.

The running game might be relied on a bit more than expected as well after the move. Brian Robinson Jr. and Austin Ekeler are the 1-2 punch out of the backfield.

Both are good receiving options too, so their fantasy values each rose after the deal. I liked them both before the trade, and this move should improve their ADPs before the season kicks off. Definitely consider them in PPR leagues.

While the deal takes an option for Daniels away, I don’t think his fantasy value is affected much, mostly because he can also make plays with his legs. If a play breaks down, Daniels can more than make up for the lack of passing by simply running. 

I’m curious to see if Daniels’ ADP moves at all. He’s already a great value pick in my eyes, and if he drops further, you could land yourself a weekly starting quarterback with one of your final picks in a standard league draft.

#trades #2024-fantasy-football