Eagles predicted to ditch Jahan Dotson for surprisingly unsigned 5-time Pro Bowl WR

Looking to address a lingering roster need at the end of training camp last year, Philadelphia Eagles GM Howie Roseman swung a rare intra-division trade with the Washington Commanders to add former first-round draft pick Jahan Dotson.

The Eagles immediately inserted Dotson as their No. 3 wide receiver, and he held that job throughout Philly’s Super Bowl run despite a serious lack of production.

Fans and analysts alike have pounded the table for Roseman to revisit the Dotson decision. While the team declined Dotson’s fifth-year option, sending him into a contract year in 2025, the team hasn’t added much competition to last year’s receiver room, with former LSU standout Terrance Marshall Jr. the team’s lone offseason addition.

With the NFL Draft now behind us, the Eagles can dip back into the free agent pool without jeopardizing their projected 2026 compensatory picks. Some intriguing veterans remain unsigned, perhaps none more surprising than five-time Pro Bowler Amari Cooper.

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Kevin Patra of NFL.com recently named Philadelphia as a potential landing spot for Cooper, who’s had a stellar 10-year career despite playing on some poor rosters. “Howie Roseman deserves the ‘Dynasty Patriots Treatment,’ wherein every available free agent or trade target is linked to his Eagles,” Patra wrote. “The two-time Super Bowl-winning GM isn't shy about adding veteran depth -- see Julio Jones, 2023 -- and Philly's drop-off behind A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith is steep. Jahan Dotson, the team's WR3, put up 216 yards last season. Behind that trio sits 2024 sixth-rounder Johnny Wilson and another reclamation project in Terrace Marshall Jr. As they did last year before the Dotson trade, the Eagles could let things shake out and see if any youngsters are ready to take on a bigger role. However, adding a veteran could make sense as we near the season. Philly offers Cooper a legit shot at chasing a ring in 2025 that others on this list cannot.”

To Patra’s point, Roseman’s the master at convincing capable veterans to join the Eagles on cheap, prove-it deals. Entering his age-31 season, Cooper’s running out of chances to play in a Super Bowl, and Philadelphia could be the team that takes him there.

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Cooper was traded from Cleveland to Buffalo last year and surprisingly played a part-time role in the Bills’ offense. He showed a willingness to play behind Buffalo’s young playmakers like Khalil Shakir and Keon Coleman, so it’s at least feasible that he would take less money to join the Eagles, understanding the assignment behind A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith.

Thanks to their cautious start to the new league year, Philly has around $25 million in cap space. The Eagles will have to sign their 10 rookies draft picks, but there should be room in the budget for another veteran signing. Given the time missed by Brown and Smith due to injuries last year, it wouldn't be a bad idea to add another starting-caliber NFL wide receiver.

How much Cooper has left in the tank is fair to question, as Buffalo barely used him during last year’s playoff run and has been in no hurry to sign him back this offseason. He would be an intriguing boundary pairing with Brown in certain three-wide sets, allowing Smith to grab additional snaps from the slot. 

Would the Eagles really ditch Dotson for Cooper, though? That’s definitely debatable. Dotson, still only 25, did his job last season despite hardly ever seeing targets from Jalen Hurts, and he made a few big plays during the Eagles’ playoff run.

He’s probably not the team’s long-term option at WR3, but Dotson’s a lot younger than Cooper, and Philly is probably banking on his upcoming contract year over finding his replacement in the latter stages of free agency.

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