When the Washington Commanders moved wide receiver Jahan Dotson to NFC East rivals the Philadelphia Eagles, they were taking a calculated gamble, but the former first-round pick can be replaced by the underappreciated 31-year-old pass-catcher Jamison Crowder.
Although Crowder has been forced to play on the bench, Nathan Jahnke of Pro Football Focus thinks the veteran can fit into coach Kliff Kingsbury’s playbook in a special capacity. In particular, Crowder can fill the role that appeared to be Dotson’s ideal fit.
Jahnke explained in full how From 2019 until 2022, Kingsbury served as the head coach of the Arizona Cardinals. The Cardinals’ slot receivers amassed the second-highest number of caches throughout that period, at 434, among all teams. The Cardinals had Larry Fitzgerald, Christian Kirk, and Rondale Moore at that time, but the majority of the top five teams had just one obvious slot receiver.
Kingsbury may use the same committee strategy he used to handle slot receivers in Arizona with the Commanders. Particularly considering that Luke McCaffrey, a rookie, and journeyman Olamide Zaccheaus are also potential targets for Crowder.
However, there are grounds for optimism that Crowder will triumph in any internal fight. Jahnke made a notable observation, pointing out that Crowder had the second-most slot snaps this season through the first half of preseason games (19). Though he is 31 years old, he has worked in that role for a long time.
Crowder should have the advantage due to experience and familiarity with the role.
Jamison Crowder May Reappear in a Major Capacity
Despite merely going on for a second tour in Washington last season, Crowder has fallen from favor. With just 16 receptions, he barely made an impression in a passing-heavy system.
However, back in March, a new team led by general manager Adam Peters and head coach Dan Quinn still thought the nine-year veteran was worth resigning.
Given Crowder’s skill as a returner, it makes sense to have him on the team. In football’s third phase, he demonstrated his durability with this long punt return against the Atlanta Falcons the previous season.
Jamison Crowder returns the punt down to the 10 💨
📺: #WASvsATL on CBS
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/B4mQvLOt8O pic.twitter.com/7rvEiqccJP— NFL (@NFL) October 15, 2023
Crowder’s value as a downfield receiver is enhanced by the Dotson trade, but he may still be helpful on special teams. Thankfully, since joining the league as Washington’s fourth-round selection in the 2015 NFL draft, Crowder has had a knack for operating the slot.
Throughout his tenures with the Buffalo Bills and New York Jets, he shown the same ability to win inside. Crowder recorded “140 slot receptions” in the 2019–2020 and ’21 seasons, ranking him as the “9th most among all Wide Receivers,” according to PFF BUF Bills.
Jamison Crowder: 140 slot receptions since 2019, 9th most among all Wide Receivers🔥 pic.twitter.com/UMAFOOony0
— PFF BUF Bills (@PFF_Bills) March 25, 2022
In 2023, despite having a poor year, Crowder continued to spend the majority of his time in the spot. According to Player Profiler, he made 108 plays from the slot.
During exhibition games, the Commanders are still giving Crowder slot snaps, indicating that Kingsbury is aware of the best ways to utilize the wideout’s skill set. Additionally, it illustrates Crowder’s position in a dubious post-Dotson rotation.
Questioning Commanders Regarding the Trade of Jahan Dotson
The Commanders were exposed to criticism when they traded Dotson to a division foe in exchange for three draft picks. Even a player for the Kansas City Chiefs, who won the Super Bowl, felt obliged to join the doubters.
The Commanders incur a risk in potentially strengthening a club they play twice a season, but the greater risk lies in putting their remaining wide receivers in a position to fully assist rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels.
Owner of “Sharp Football Analysis,” Warren Sharp, has a valid issue. He is not impressed with the alternatives behind Terry McLaurin, the all-time 1,000-yard receiver.
thinking you don't need Dotson is wild…unless you think he's cooked
Washington's depth chart at WR behind Terry McLaurin is:
Olamide Zaccheaus
Dyami Brown
Luke McCaffrey
Jamison Crowder https://t.co/lNwsuiZ8sE— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) August 22, 2024
Although there aren’t many well-known players in the bunch, it just takes one to step up and turn the tide in Washington’s favor. dependable product Although Crowder seems the most likely, there is a lot of exciting possibilities surrounding him.
For example, Dyami Brown is unpolished yet has the vertical threat’s straight-line speed. McCaffrey is another option; he is a 6-foot-2, 198-pound target with the stature to get open over the middle.
In Week 2 of the preseason, McCaffrey saw 15 snaps in the slot against the Miami Dolphins, according to Mason Kinnahan of Keeping Up With The Commanders.
Every Luke McCaffrey offensive snap vs the Dolphins
Notes:
– 15 snaps in the slot
– 9 snaps out wide
– LMC and OZ will probably fight for snaps in the slot#RaiseHail pic.twitter.com/1CBuG23brx— Mason Kinnahan (@Mason_Kinnahan) August 22, 2024
Although Crowder’s presence cannot be disregarded, Kinnahan foresees a struggle for slot work between McCaffrey and Zaccheaus.
