Jahan Dotson acquisition may end a young Eagles chance to make the 53-man roster

It isn't quite the 11th hour yet, but it's close. The Philadelphia Eagles have added another former first-rounder. As with John Ross, this one is a wide receiver. A rare in-division trade has taken place ahead of the final preseason game.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reports the Washington Commanders are sending former first-round pick Jahan Dotson and a fifth-round pick to Philly. The Eagles hand Washington a 2025 third-round pick and two seventh-round picks, per sources. He joins another Nittany Lion, Saquon Barkley, as two in-division transfers whom we hope make their former teams miserable.

We've gotten used to Philadelphia Eagles Vice President/General Manager Howie Roseman adding players late in the roster-building process, but those guys are typically defensive backs (Ronald Darby, Steven Nelson, James Bradberry, C.J. Gardner-Johnson).

Dotson potentially gives Philly another option as a possible third wide receiver (no disrespect to the job Britain Covey has done). He also potentially ends one rookie's chances of making the 53-man roster.

Jahan Dotson's addition seemingly makes it impossible to argue Ainias Smith onto the Eagles roster

Before we say anything else, we must give Ainias Smith his due. He wasn't performing well during camp. Then, we saw a brilliant decision. Philly's coaching staff made him the target on a two-point conversion to give Philly the lead in their second preseason game over the New England Patriots for good.

That decision has seemingly helped give the rookie some confidence. He's been better ever since. That's what it's all about. He should be proud of how he has handled the pressure and carried himself. Hopefully, that newfound faith in himself will help him continue turning the corner.

Seeing the deal the Eagles have made however (and the draft capital they gave up to get him this late in the game) make us feel like Dotson is here to stay. He already possesses some of the skills we were told Smith had. That makes us believe the ceiling for Ainias now may be a spot on Philly's practice squad.

Then, there's the numbers game. The Eagles may carry six wide receivers on the depth chart. A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith are safe. So is Britain Covey as he is also the team's best punt returner.

It would also stand to reason that everyone agrees that Johnny Wilson has outplayed his fellow rookie (Smith). There's also the theory that the Eagles should rank Jahan Dotson, Parris Campbell, John Ross, and Joseph Ngata over Ainias.

We like the youngster. He has come on, but it may be a too-little, too-late scenario. It doesn't feel like Ainias Smith has a shot to make the initial 53-man roster.

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