The Philadelphia Eagles' wide receiver room entered a state of flux following their Super Bowl LIX victory, with veteran Jahan Dotson's future uncertain heading into the 2025 season.
After the organization declined his fifth-year option in April, making him a free agent after this season, all signs point to 2025 being Dotson's last season in Philadelphia.
When the Eagles traded for Dotson from division rival Washington in August 2024, sending a third-round pick and two seventh-rounders for the former first-round selection, expectations were modest but optimistic.
Instead, Dotson’s Eagles tenure has been largely forgettable. In 17 regular-season games, he managed just 19 receptions for 216 yards without finding the end zone—a steep decline from his promising rookie campaign with Washington, when he caught 35 passes for 523 yards and seven touchdowns.
While A.J. Brown (27) and DeVonta Smith (26) remain in their prime and are locked up long-term, the depth chart behind them features several intriguing young options. Johnny Wilson enters his second season as perhaps the most physically unique receiver on the roster.
At 6-6, 235 pounds, the Florida State product brings rare size to the position. His best collegiate season came in 2022 with 43 catches for 897 yards and five touchdowns, and his red zone potential makes him an intriguing developmental prospect.
Ainias Smith made significant strides from training camp to season’s end in his rookie year. The Texas A&M product caught his first career touchdown in Week 18 and averaged 15 yards per reception in college while generating 816 yards from scrimmage in his final season.
His slot capabilities could make him particularly valuable in the Eagles’ offensive system.
Terrace Marshall Jr. represents another young option with untapped potential, while Elijah Cooks and Danny Gray both signed reserve/future contracts, indicating the organization sees developmental upside.
Avery Williams provides versatility as both a receiver and return specialist.
New offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo inherits an offense that showed significant versatility under former coordinator Kellen Moore, who left to become the Saints’ head coach after the Super Bowl.
Patullo, with the Eagles since 2021 and promoted to associate head coach in 2023, is expected to maintain a flexible, matchup-based approach that benefits players with diverse skill sets like Wilson and Smith.
Training camp will prove crucial in determining the hierarchy behind Brown and Smith. While Dotson technically remains the incumbent, his tenuous hold on the position—combined with his impending free agency—creates opportunities for younger players to seize larger roles.
Wilson appears best positioned to emerge as a consistent contributor given his unique physical profile, while Smith’s late-season improvement suggests he could carve out a significant role.
With Dotson likely departing after 2025, the Eagles need to identify multiple contributors who can provide depth and eventually step into larger responsibilities. Philadelphia’s approach reflects confidence in Brown and Smith as the foundation while remaining patient with their younger options.
Rather than investing heavily in veteran free agents, the Eagles are betting on development and scheme fit—a strategy that makes sense given their recent Super Bowl success and the reliability of their top two receivers.
The question isn’t whether the Eagles can survive without Dotson—they’ve essentially been doing that already. Instead, it’s whether one of their young receivers can emerge as a consistent third option who complements the established stars and provides the offense with another reliable weapon as the defending champions prepare for another title run.