Does the thought of trusting Carson Wentz‘s weapons for fantasy football make you gag? I can’t blame you. Still, Curtis Samuel and Jahan Dotson are two of the hottest Week 2 Waiver Wire WRs for a reason.
Both Washington receivers are very viable as Week 2 Fantasy Football streams in a beautiful matchup vs. the Detroit Lions. Moreover, their long-term fantasy outlooks — especially Jahan Dotson — are quite appealing, even with Wentz.
Washington Commanders Aerial Pie – Actually Tasty?
Before diving into each prospect, let me try to convince you that the Commanders’ Aerial Pie is actually… tasty.
Despite leading vs. the Jaguars throughout Week 1, the Commanders threw 41 pass attempts, which tied for 7th in the league. They also ranked 7th with 70 total plays run.
Most importantly, OC Scott Turner threw the ball on 70% of the plays with the score within three points, 10% higher than the league average. Even when they led by 4+, Washington continued throttling through the air at a 63% rate (+12%).
And…hear me out… Wentz looked… good. I swear. Yes, he chucked a few Wentzian, boneheaded picks. Still, Wentz also made plenty of “wow” throws. At worst, he’s not afraid to get the ball flying and let his weapons make plays. After Week 1, Wentz ranks 5th in passing yards (313), 2nd in passing TDs (4), and 3rd in FPs (29.7).
The Jaguars suck, sure. Still, Wentz and the Commanders have one of the friendliest early-season schedules. Given the QB and OC’s willingness to sling, I expect all the weapons here to be relevant most weeks — including Samuel and Dotson. (*Gasp* I also think Wentz himself makes a high-end QB2, especially as a Week 2 Waiver Wire streamer vs. the lowly Lions).
Curtis Samuel 2022 & Week 2 Fantasy Outlook
If you need to rely on one WR immediately for fantasy football, Curtis Samuel is the best bet. Granted, he’s spiked from 4% owned to 58% overnight. Still, he may be out there — or you may already have him.
Samuel posted a dominant 26% target share thanks to a team-high 10 targets. He turned this into 8 receptions, 55 yards, and a score. Samuel also inherited a 16% rush share with 5 carries, adding 17 on the ground for a total of 21.2 FPs.
Sure, injuries rendered Samuel nonexistent in 2021. Yet, the year prior, Samuel’s 118 touches opportunities (rec & rushes) trailed only Stefon Diggs. He finished that year as a Top-25 WR. Now healthy and reunited with Ron Rivera, Samuel sure looks like he’ll be force-fed looks in 2022.
Whether as a runner or receiver, Samuel could feast again versus a Lions defense that was abysmal tackling in Week 1. He’s no AJ Brown, but Samuel’s “lay-up” usage is similar. I am +10 ECR on Samuel, a quality WR3 in my Week 2 Fantasy Football Rankings. Samuel has also rocketed up to 127 on my Season-Long Big Board.
Jahan Dotson 2022 & Week 2 Fantasy Outlook
Although Samuel provides more immediate fantasy benefits, I prefer the lesser-owned Jahan Dotson if I can afford patience.
On just 5 targets, Dotson hauled in 3 receptions… two of which were TDs. Both scores required individual talent and QB chemistry (especially that diving 24-yard score. Sheesh. Big Boy Play.)
Sure, Dotson is an unimposing 5-foot-11 and slender 180 lbs. His measurables won’t “wow” anyone, even with a solid 4.43 forty (86th %ile) and 36-inch vertical.
Yet, for what he lacks in “sizzle,” Dotson more than makes up for in “steak.”
Especially on contested throws. Entering the NFL, Dotson himself noted: “I approach that (ball) as a million dollars. It’s a million dollars in the air. If you want it, you go get it.”
Moreover, one of our favorite scouts, The Athletic’s Dane Brugler, said Dotson has “maybe the largest catch radius of any sub-5-foot-11 receiver I have ever scouted.” This my-ball-mentality was fully on display in Dotson’s first week of NFL action.
He’s a “football player” in every sense of the word, winning nearly all his routes thanks to impressive lower-body suddenness. Plus, Dotson hauls in almost everything thrown his way, and was a proven “target vacuum” at Penn State; Dotson shouldered a 32.5% college target share (95th percentile).
While targets are certainly crowded in Washington, Dotson does have true No.1 Alpha WR abilities. His 12% target share in Week 1 was underwhelming, but this could rapidly climb as Dotson builds on his impressive NFL Debut. He was handpicked by this regime at 16 overall and should see his role expand greatly.
Wentz heaped praise on Dotson all offseason: “He’s awesome,” Carson Wentz said. “He’s a quiet kid, young kid, but he’s a hard worker. He’s smart, he’s instinctual. He catches the football as natural as anybody I’ve been around, just how natural he plucks it out of the air.” As Week 1 showed, the enigmatic QB has no problem hurling it Dotson’s way in crucial situations.
Although Dotson might not be quite as reliable as Samuel early on, he’s the better overall talent and higher-upside fantasy stash for the long-term. In the short-term, Dotson will continue to have splash weeks — perhaps as early as this week vs. the pathetic Lions this week. By midyear, Dotson could beat out even Terry McLaurin as the Commanders’ top guy. He’s that special.
For Week 2 Rankings, Dotson slides in just below Samuel at WR40. On my Rest of Season board, Dotson is all the way up at Pick 100 — with plenty of room to rise with continued impressive outings.
TLDR: Curtis Samuel & Jahan Dotson = Top Week 2 Waiver Wire WRs
Both Samuel and especially Dotson are impressive playmakers. Both are immediately viable fantasy options in Week 2 versus the Lions, particularly Samuel and his high-volume, “lay-up target” role. The Commanders’ offense is an Aerial Assault, and for all his faults, Wentz can still sling enough to feed multiple mouths (a Winston-lite, if you will).
Long-term, Dotson makes the more appealing stash. He flashed elite traits throughout college, which immediately translated in Week 1. Dotson could be the Alpha WR1 of this offense as early as 2022, and at only 38% rostered right now, he needs to be a priority on fantasy football Waiver Wires.
Samuel will help you win now. Dotson will bring you titles later.
