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NFC East news: Washington wideout feels he’s on a new team; Giants’ top pick may not be enough

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NFC East news: Washington wideout feels he’s on a new team; Giants’ top pick may not be enough


Commanders WR Jahan Dotson feels like he was traded to a new team – Bryan Manning, USA Today

Washington’s franchise facelift is clearly evident to Jahan Dotson.

The 2023 NFL season was one to forget for Washington Commanders wide receiver Jahan Dotson. After catching 35 passes and leading the team with seven touchdowns as a rookie in 2022 despite missing five games, Dotson was expected to be one of the NFL’s breakout players in 2023.

It didn’t happen. Dotson played in every game for the Commanders yet finished with only 49 receptions for 518 yards and four touchdowns. It was a difficult season for every Washington player. While some would be concerned about Dotson’s regression, the Commanders are not.

Gone are Ron Rivera and Eric Bieniemy. Enter Adam Peters, Dan Quinn and Kliff Kingsbury. Bieniemy’s offense was a mess for much of last season. Dotson wasn’t perfect, as he dropped several passes, but the lack of separation, rhythm and a running game was brutal.

Several players were frustrated at the end of the season.

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Kingsbury brings a new offense to Washington, one that has always been good for wide receivers. Dotson also has a new quarterback. The Commanders selected LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels second overall in last week’s NFL draft.

Finally, Dotson spoke on the frustrations from last season’s 4-13 team and how Quinn has rejuvenated everyone.

“I’ve only been a short two years, but I do feel it is completely different,” Dotson said. “This is funny to say, but I was talking to some of the guys in the locker room, and I said it almost feels like I got traded. It feels like I came into a better opportunity. I feel like the confidence is at an all-time high, not only for the team but myself included.”

How much will Eagles draft picks play in 2024? – Dave Zangaro, NBC Sports Philadelphia

Here’s how much Philly’s draft class may play, particularly their first-round pick.

Eagles rookies haven’t played very much in recent seasons and there are a few reasons for that.

One is that they have a pretty strong group of veterans on this roster. The other is that Nick Sirianni has clearly shown deference to those veterans. Perhaps that’s just his nature or perhaps that’s because of the high expectations for these Eagles teams.

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But the Eagles did get some contributions from their rookie class in 2023 and now it’s time to figure out roles for their nine rookies in the 2024 draft class:

Round 1-22: Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo

General manager Howie Roseman showed patience in Round 1 and let Mitchell fall to him at 22 overall. The Eagles had their pick of cornerbacks and ended up with Mitchell, who seemingly checks every box.

The Eagles know that one of their starting outside cornerbacks will be Darius Slay. Even though Slay is 33 now, he still played at a high level in 2023 and is under contract.

Mitchell should be the starter on the other side. The Eagles, of course, have some options. Incumbent starter James Bradberry is still on the roster but after a really down season in 2023, it’s hard to imagine him starting again. The Eagles also have some young players in Kelee Ringo, Eli Ricks and Isaiah Rodgers on the team. But Mitchell was a first-round pick for a reason and he should be given every opportunity to earn a starting job. I think we’ll see him working with the second team early in training camp but he should mix in with the starting group and I expect him to eventually wrestle away that job.

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Malik Nabers Propels, Sinks Giants’ 2024 Draft Class Ranking – Geoff Magliocchetti, Sports Illustrated

The first-round pick will provide a boost, but might not be enough to improve QB play.

Malik Nabers’ draft neighbors are being used to the New York Giants’ benefit and detriment.

SI.com’s ranking of the 2024 NFC draft classes placed the Giants’ group in 12th out of 16, offering praise and criticism for using the sixth overall pick on Nabers, a highly touted aerial playmaker out of LSU.

“Perhaps the Giants should be ranked lower than 12th on this list, but they landed standout wideout Malik Nabers with their No. 6 pick,” list curator Gilberto Manzano said.

“Nabers has the makings of the next Odell Beckham Jr. or Ja’Marr Chase. Nabers’s explosiveness will expand the playbook for coach Brian Daboll, making him a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses.”

Nabers, a big-play receiver in Baton Rouge, should undoubtedly inject some life into the Giants’ offense, but some critics have chided the team’s decision to pass (no pun intended) on the quarterback prospects from the touted draft class of 2024.

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The Giants reportedly made an attempt to move up on the draft board (said to be targeting eventual New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye) but after that didn’t come to fruition, they stayed put in the sixth slot, where Nabers awaited.

“Nabers has the makings of the next Odell Beckham Jr. or Ja’Marr Chase. Nabers’s explosiveness will expand the playbook for coach Brian Daboll, making him a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses.”

Nabers, a big-play receiver in Baton Rouge, should undoubtedly inject some life into the Giants’ offense, but some critics have chided the team’s decision to pass (no pun intended) on the quarterback prospects from the touted draft class of 2024.

The Giants reportedly made an attempt to move up on the draft board (said to be targeting eventual New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye) but after that didn’t come to fruition, they stayed put in the sixth slot, where Nabers awaited.



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Washington Commanders bring back former QB after another injury

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Washington Commanders bring back former QB after another injury


Update: Commanders announce the Driskel signing, and place Sam Cosmi on IR due to a concussion

The Washington Commanders are reportedly signing QB Jeff Driskel from the Arizona Cardinals practice squad. Marcus Mariota is day-to-day with hand and quad injuries, and Jayden Daniels has been shut down for the season. Josh Johnson is the only other QB on the 53-man roster, and Sam Hartman is available on the practice squad.

Dan Quinn said yesterday that the team could look to sign another QB, and Driskel was the most logical choice. He was the team’s third-string QB last season, but wasn’t re-signed. He played one snap for Washington during the regular season, and was on the Las Vegas Raiders practice squad to start this season. The move is not official, and the team will have to announce a corresponding roster move.



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San Antonio at Washington, Final Score: Spurs complete season sweep of Wizards, 124-113

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San Antonio at Washington, Final Score: Spurs complete season sweep of Wizards, 124-113


Facing the worst team in the league for the 2nd time in 3 games, the San Antonio Spurs came into this one looking for their 10th road win this year and their first 6 game winstreak since March of 2019. A sluggish start to the game saw them trailing after the 1st quarter, but an 18-4 run to start the 2nd put the game firmly in San Antonio’s hand, eventually outscoring Washington 43-21 in the period and securing a 20 point lead going into halftime. Washington was able to hang around all throughout the 3rd quarter though and even managed to cut the deficit to single digits a few times in the 4th, but solid defense and a dominant performance from Luke Kornet throughout the period saved the day for San Antonio. Seven players finished in double figures, while three also had double-doubles in the win. Washington meanwhile had five players finish in double figures, led by Bub Carrington’s 21 points.

The Spurs (21-7) are back in action Tuesday night in San Antonio at 7:30 CT for the first of two rematches this week with the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder.



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Storm debris cleanup in Lake Washington to last weeks amid flood aftermath

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Storm debris cleanup in Lake Washington to last weeks amid flood aftermath


The recent floods in Western Washington have left a trail of destruction, with swollen rivers depositing debris into Lake Washington, and over the weekend, the Mercer Island Police Department’s Marine Patrol Unit actively engaged in storm clean-up efforts, focusing on removing trees and logs that pose navigation hazards.

SEE ALSO | Atmospheric river impact: why landslide risks linger long after the rain stops

The operation is expected to continue for several weeks as river levels gradually recede, city officials said.

Three atmospheric rivers slammed the region in the span of a week, leading to widespread flooding and damage to the state’s infrastructure.

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Boaters on Lake Washington are urged to exercise extreme caution due to the hundreds of trees and logs floating in the water, the city of Mercer Island announced.

The Mercer Island police marine patrol is prioritizing the removal of free-floating debris that presents the greatest public risk, the department said Friday.

RELATED | King County identifies specific ‘levees of concern’ from floodwaters

Once these hazards are addressed, efforts will shift to clearing hazardous logs along public shorelines.

Residents and boaters who encounter free-floating logs or trees are encouraged to report them by calling the non-emergency line at 425-577-5656 or leaving a message at 206-275-7909.

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Access to the Mercer Island Boat Launch may be restricted as Public Works staff process and chip the recovered debris.

For logs accumulated against private docks or shorelines, residents are advised to contact private towing or landscaping services, as city resources are currently focused on ensuring public navigation safety, the city said.



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