FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Signing with the Atlanta Falcons represents two things for Jahan Dotson. In many ways, it's a full-circle moment.
Growing up in the Northeast, Dotson rarely went anywhere without his red Michael Vick jersey. He laughed that he practically lived in it. Like many kids his age, he was swept up in the early-2000s wave of Vickmania.
So when Dotson got the call from his agent that Atlanta was interested in adding him to the roster, he immediately reached out to his mom. She quickly sent back photos of him wearing that same Vick jersey—the one he nearly wore out as a kid.
So, yes, signing with Atlanta is a full-circle moment. But it's also a fresh start.
In 2021, Dotson declared for the NFL Draft after wrapping up his final season at Penn State, where he had become a household name among Nittany Lions fans. He finished his college career ranked second in school history in both career receptions and single-season receptions, ultimately being selected No. 16 overall by the Washington Commanders.
Falcons general manager Ian Cunningham remembers Dotson's strengths clearly.
"He had some dynamic plays," Cunningham said. "The speed jumps off the tape."
Since entering the league, Dotson has shown "flickers and flashes throughout his career" of that same dynamic ability and top-end speed, according to Cunningham.
He made an immediate impact in Washington, scoring two touchdowns in his NFL debut in Week 1 and recording his first 100-yard receiving game in Week 15. After two seasons, however, a new regime led to a change, and Dotson was traded to the Eagles.
In Philadelphia, he continued to flash his potential and contributed during the team's Super Bowl run. He caught two touchdowns in the Eagles' Wild Card win and added two receptions in the Super Bowl, including one that set up a 1-yard touchdown run by Jalen Hurts in the victory.
Entering free agency for the first time this offseason, Dotson was looking for a change of pace. In his own words, he wanted to find a place "that was going to value" him. He also wanted a team that would use his skillset "the right way."
What he found — and who found him — was Atlanta.
From both Dotson's perspective and the team's, the fit felt natural.
"I feel like bringing him here, it gives him a chance to showcase what he's capable of doing and what he was kind of building up to in his time at Washington," Cunningham said, "and it fits our offense."
Dotson agrees.
Discussing his role in a Kevin Stefanski/Tommy Rees scheme, he embraced the idea of fit.
"I feel like (their scheme) tailors to my skillset specifically, being able to move inside, outside. My versatility as a receiver, playing everywhere on the field," Dotson explained. "They do a great job moving their playmakers around and putting them in advantageous situations to make plays for the team and I feel like that's something I can buy into and can fit very well into."
Cunningham added that Dotson's versatility complements the Falcons' existing offensive pieces. Think players like Drake London, Bijan Robinson, and Kyle Pitts, as well as recently signed receiver Olamide Zaccheaus.
All in all, though, Dotson was looking for alignment. It's something he feels he found in Atlanta.
That, and he found a fresh start and a full-circle moment.
So, maybe signing with the Falcons is actually three things for Dotson, not two. Perhaps with the potential for even more.
"Going into Year 5 of my career, I need an offense, an offensive coordinator and a head coach that aligns with what I believe in and what I can bring to the team," Dotson said. "I felt like the Falcons were the right place for me."
