Commanders pick Penn State wide receiver Jahan Dotson in 1st round, 16th overall

The Washington Commanders took a long look at former Penn State wide receiver Jahan Dotson and were not bothered by his relatively slight 5-foot-11, 184-pound frame.

So much so that the Commanders made Dotson a first-round choice Friday (No. 16 overall).

“I’m a big fan of Jahan Dotson. I think he has the best hands (among wide receivers) in the draft,” former Heisman Trophy winner Desmond Howard said Thursday night on ESPN.

Dotson is Penn State’s 40th all-time first-round pick. The selection gives the Nittany Lions first-rounders in consecutive years for the first time since 2009-2010. Micah Parsons and Odafe Oweh were chosen in 2021.

Dotson is the first Penn State wide receiver taken in the first round since Bryant Johnson went 17th to the Arizona Cardinals in 2003 and the highest since Kenny Jackson (fourth overall to the Philadelphia Eagles in 1984).

“Jahan has worked his tail off to be in the position he’s in right now,” Penn State wide receivers coach Taylor Stubblefield said in a statement. “He believed in the process, he believed in the program, he trusted coach (James) Franklin and he trusted myself.

“He made the most of every single one of his opportunities. Jahan had an opportunity to leave after his third year, but he wanted to come back and play for his brothers and also improve his draft status, which I believe he has done. He will truly be one of the best receivers to ever play at Penn State.”

Named third-team Associated Press All-American and second-team All-Big Ten, Dotson projects as an eventual NFL playmaker in the passing game and as a punt returner. He is Penn State’s all-time leader in career punt return average (17.8 yards), and he set a school single-season mark in 2020 (24.6).

He finished second all-time at Penn State in career receptions (183) and touchdown catches (25, tied with Jackson) and fourth in receiving yards (2,757). He also recorded six touchdowns of 60 yards or more and 11 career 100-yard games (second in school history).

He had only two drops among his 91 receptions in 2021 while recording at least one catch in his last 41 games.

“Jahan has an intense, laser-like focus on greatness,” Franklin said. “And a competitive edge that will serve him well at the next level. His quickness, sure hands and route-running ability will make him a dangerous and explosive threat in the NFL. Jahan is a perfect example of what we want our program to be all about. As impressive as his accomplishments were at Penn State on the field, Jahan’s thoughtfulness and character have always impressed me the most.”