Dotson happy Commanders drafted Daniels: 'QB that I wanted'
Plenty of speculation surrounded the Washington Commanders and what they'd do with the No. 2 pick in this year's draft, but wide receiver Jahan Dotson is happy the team landed quarterback Jayden Daniels.
"He's great," Dotson said Tuesday. "I don't know if I can say this, but that's the quarterback that I wanted. I was happy when we drafted him. I'm really looking forward to building a relationship with him - furthering our relationship, as I've known him in the past. ... He has big things coming for him."
Dotson and Daniels worked out together during their college careers.
Daniels, the reigning Heisman Trophy winner, was the second quarterback off the board in 2024 after Caleb Williams, the class' top prospect whom the Chicago Bears drafted at No. 1. Williams and Daniels headlined a strong group of QB prospects that also featured Drake Maye, Michael Penix Jr., J.J. McCarthy, and Bo Nix. A record six signal-callers were selected in the top 12.
With Daniels in town, the Commanders kick off a new era in 2024 after posting a 4-13 record last year. Washington also hired Dan Quinn as its new head coach, and the 53-year-old assembled a new coaching staff that includes offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury and defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr.
"It has been a completely different energy," Dotson said Tuesday, according to John Keim of ESPN. "From the second we kind of walked into the first team meeting, coach Quinn really emphasized that we're really a team. It's been really good energy, really good vibes around the building."
The quarterback position has been Washington's biggest issue in recent years. Sam Howell, who started all 17 games last year, was traded to the Seattle Seahawks this offseason. Howell passed for 21 touchdowns with a league-high 21 interceptions in 2023.
A first-round pick in 2022, Dotson has played with four quarterbacks in two campaigns with the Commanders. The 24-year-old caught 49 passes for 518 yards and four touchdowns last season. He's posted 11 TD receptions since entering the league.
Terry McLaurin - a four-time 1,000-yard receiver - has led Washington in receiving in each of the last five seasons.