Who will replace Dotson at wideout?
Penn State will have to replace one of the best receivers in program history after Nazareth High grad Jahan Dotson was taken in the first round by the Washington Commanders in this year’s NFL Draft.
Dotson was prolific in his time as a Nittany Lion, but leaves behind a wide receiver room more than capable of picking up the production he leaves behind — even if it’s spread around.
Let’s take a look at how Penn State’s receivers stack up in 2022.
Projected Starters: Senior Mitchell Tinsley, sophomores Parker Washington and KeAndre Lambert-Smith
Replacing Dotson will be a group effort, but the production necessary to do so will likely come at the top of the depth chart. Both Washington and Lambert-Smith have proven they can contribute at Penn State, while Tinsley was one of the most productive receivers in the country last season at Western Kentucky.
While the two returners have the most chemistry with starting quarterback Sean Clifford, Tinsley has the type of experience that could lead to him becoming the senior’s top option on the outside.
He was the second-leading receiver on the Hilltoppers last year with 1,402 yards. Yes, you read that right. Tinsley had nearly 1,500 yards and was second on the team in receiving. The Western Kentucky offense was one of the most explosive in the country and the new Nittany Lion was a big part of that. He’s a strong and physical receiver at 6-foot-1, 203 pounds who attacks the ball at the point of the catch and isn’t easy to bring down in the open field.
Tinsley, who will wear Dotson’s old number — 5 — for the Nittany Lions, has the physical traits to give Penn State a different type of weapon all over the field. He compares favorably to former Nittany Lion Chris Godwin, and being 80% of the player Godwin was would be a huge win for the program next season.
While Tinsley is the top experienced option to take over Dotson’s target share, it’s Washington who has the most upside to break out into a true No. 1 receiver. He took over that role momentarily in the 2021 season and showed what he can do, given the opportunity.
Dotson sat out the Outback Bowl against Arkansas, and Washington thrived.
He hauled in seven passes for 98 yards in his first game as the top option while displaying many of the attributes his predecessor did. Washington is 5-foot-10 and weighs 212 pounds, giving him the build of a running back more than a receiver. He has strong hands, frequently making acrobatic catches when given the opportunity and is a sure-handed pass catcher in casual situations as well.
He’s strong in the open field, using his strong lower body to power through defenders or make them miss.
Washington has everything you’d want in a No. 1 option, except for elite height.
The most likely third option behind Tinsley and Washington is Lambert-Smith, who will have an opportunity to take a step forward in both target share and ability. He’s a shifty wideout in the open field who has excellent stop and start ability that he uses as a highlevel route runner. He had multiple concentration drops in the 2021 season and will need to improve on that to be a trusted option for Clifford this year.
His ability to be consistent will be the most important factor in dictating how many of the vacated targets will go his way in 2022.
The backups behind the top trio will be a more interesting battle for Penn State than the battle to start. There’s experience in the first group of receivers but beyond them lies more uncertainty, although with plenty of upside.
Meiga should get the first crack at being the team’s fourth receiver because of his comparative experience and skillset. He’s the lone receiver on the roster taller than 6-foot-2 at 6-foot-4 and has the speed and athleticism to be a field-stretching deep threat. He’s at his best on the outside but will need to prove he can be better as a route runner to expand on his role this year. Doing that would significantly increase his ceiling and allow him to do more than be a downfield burner. His athletic traits alone should make him more of a threat this season.
Wallace seems destined to be the fifth receiver, with a chance to be the fourth — or even a starter — if he can hit his stride as a redshirt freshman. He’s an unbelievable vertical athlete with the explosiveness to high point passes at 6-foot-1, 191 pounds and the short area quickness to leave his opponents in the dust as a route runner. Wallace may not be the most polished player entering the season, but his ascent up the depth chart could be a rapid one as he continues in Penn State’s strength and conditioning program.
The final backup here is far less certain than the other two. There will be freshmen that compete, but the edge has to go to someone like Dottin. He’s the second tallest receiver on the roster at 6-foot-2 and has added the requisite weight to succeed in the Big Ten. Dottin was listed at 170 pounds as a recruit but is now up to 191 pounds. His strength is unlikely to be a defining trait, but he needed to add weight to prevent opponents from knocking him off his route with physicality. He, like Meiga, is a good deep threat who has the size to compete downfield for contested catches.
Freshman to watch: Kaden Saunders
Saunders was a five-star recruit out of high school and has nearly six months in the program after enrolling in January — putting him in position to make an impact relatively early in his career. The 5-foot10, 178-pound receiver has blazing speed and gets in and out of cuts with ease. He’s already up from the 172 pounds he was listed at as a recruit, and should continue to add weight in the lead up to the season.
He could potentially make an impact this season and force his way into the wide receiver rotation as a playmaker from the slot.