Look, I’ll level with you right off the bat: if you’re banking on Jahan Dotson to carry your fantasy team in 2025, you might want to reconsider your draft strategy. Sure, the former Penn State standout had flashes of brilliance during his college days, but his NFL journey has been about as consistent as Philadelphia weather in April. With an ADP hovering around pick 359 and projections that would make even the most optimistic Eagles fan wince, Dotson sits firmly in the “late-round flier” category. But hey, maybe that’s exactly where lightning strikes twice.
Dotson’s Rocky Road in the City of Brotherly Love
The 25-year-old receiver’s 2024 season was essentially a masterclass in frustration. Catching just 19 passes for 216 yards across 16 games isn’t exactly the stuff of fantasy dreams. To put that in perspective, some tight ends had better receiving numbers while blocking half their snaps. Dotson managed a measly 22.9 fantasy points for the entire season, ranking him 354th overall and 118th among wide receivers. That’s not just bad, that’s “did he actually play?” territory.
What makes this particularly painful is watching Dotson’s game log from 2024. The guy had eight games where he scored less than one fantasy point. Eight! That’s half the season where he was basically invisible. His best performance came in Week 18 against the Giants, you know, that meaningless game where teams rest their starters, where he caught seven passes for 94 yards. Even then, no touchdown. It’s like watching a pitcher throw a no-hitter but lose 1-0.
The Numbers Don’t Lie (Unfortunately)
Why Dotson Struggles to Find His Footing
Here’s the thing about Dotson that drives fantasy analysts crazy: the talent is clearly there. The former first-round pick (16th overall in 2022) ran a 4.43 forty-yard dash and showed flashes of brilliance at Penn State. But talent doesn’t automatically translate to fantasy relevance, especially when you’re buried on the depth chart behind A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith.
The Eagles’ offense is a well-oiled machine, but it’s also incredibly predictable when it comes to target distribution. Brown and Smith soak up the lion’s share of passing targets, leaving Dotson to fight for scraps with tight end Dallas Goedert and running back Saquon Barkley. When your quarterback has two legitimate WR1 options, the third receiver becomes about as relevant as a backup quarterback in a blowout win.
Dotson’s 7.4% target share last season tells the whole story. That’s not even WR3 numbers, that’s “emergency option when someone gets hurt” territory. And with both Brown and Smith healthy heading into 2025, there’s little reason to expect a dramatic shift in Philadelphia’s offensive hierarchy.
The Upside Case (If You’re Feeling Optimistic)
Dotson’s 2025 Outlook: Proceed with Caution
The projection systems aren’t exactly bullish on Dotson’s 2025 prospects, and frankly, it’s hard to blame them. With a projected 31.31 fantasy points for the entire season, he’s basically being valued as a desperation flex play at best. That puts him firmly in WR5 territory, the kind of player you stash on your bench hoping for a miracle.
But here’s where things get interesting from a value perspective: at an ADP of 359, you’re essentially getting Dotson for free. That’s late enough in drafts where you’re throwing darts at the board anyway, hoping to uncover the next Tyler Lockett or Cooper Kupp buried treasure. The risk-reward proposition becomes more palatable when you’re not investing significant draft capital.
The Eagles’ offense should continue humming in 2025, and quarterback Jalen Hurts has shown he’s willing to spread the ball around when the situation calls for it. If, and this is a massive if, either Brown or Smith misses significant time, Dotson immediately becomes relevant. That’s not exactly a ringing endorsement, but it’s the kind of lottery ticket that can win you leagues if it hits.
The Bottom Line on Dotson
Jahan Dotson remains one of fantasy football’s most frustrating enigmas heading into 2025. The physical tools are undeniable, the situation is less than ideal, and the production has been downright disappointing. But at his current ADP, he represents the kind of high-upside, low-cost gamble that separates good fantasy managers from great ones.
Don’t draft Dotson expecting consistent weekly production; that ship has sailed until further notice. Instead, view him as insurance for your receiving corps, a potential league-winner if the stars align, or simply a player to monitor on waivers if his situation changes. Sometimes in fantasy football, the best moves are the ones that cost you nothing but pay dividends when you least expect them.
