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The Washington Commanders spent this offseason adding more help for quarterback Jayden Daniels. The Commanders traded for left tackle Laremy Tunsil and wide receiver Deebo Samuel. Unfortunately, Washington is currently at odds with No. 1 wide receiver Terry McLaurin over a new contract.
Ultimately, almost everyone believes the Commanders and McLaurin will reach a new agreement, giving Daniels an excellent 1-2 punch at wide receiver.
What about the rest of Washington’s wide receiver corps? In the latest installment of our training camp positional previews, we look at wide receiver.
- Offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury
- Assistant head coach/pass game coordinator Brian Johnson
- Wide receivers coach Bobby Engram
- Personnel analyst
Kliff Kingsbury rebuilt his coaching stock with a huge year in Washington last year. He had opportunities to interview elsewhere, but chose to return. Johnson was the Eagles’ offensive coordinator for one season before coming to Washington. He serves as another sounding board for quarterback Jayden Daniels. Engram enters his third season in Washington and has the trust and support of all of Washington’s receivers. Welker joined Washington this offseason and gives the receivers two coaches who played the position at a high level in the NFL.
- WR Terry McLaurin
- WR Deebo Samuel
- WR Noah Brown
Terry McLaurin is the unquestioned No. 1 wide receiver. McLaurin had a career year in his first season with Kingsbury as offensive coordinator and Jayden Daniels at quarterback. Contract issues aside, McLaurin will be on the field for Week 1. If a deal is not reached soon, McLaurin could miss some of training camp.
Samuel can play outside, but he’ll also see plenty of time in the slot. The Commanders will be creative with Samuel. His strength lies in his ability to gain yards after the catch. As for the other WR spot, we named Noah Brown, but it could also be Luke McCaffrey, depending on how well he performs in training camp.
- Luke McCaffrey
- Jaylin Lane (R)
- K.J. Osborn
- Michael Gallup
- Ja’Corey Brooks (R)
- Jacoby Jones (R)
- Chris Moore
- Michael Strachan
There are lots of interesting names here. McCaffrey and Lane would appear to be the only locks of the bunch. Gallup is trying to revive his career after an injury and brief retirement. Perhaps he could play a similar role as Olamide Zaccheaus did last season for the Commanders if he makes the team. Osborn signed late last season, but barely saw the field. Washington re-signed him this offseason. Osborn has NFL experience and is still young. Brooks is one of the NFL’s most intriguing undrafted free agents. He offers size and excellent ball skills.
It will be interesting to see which of Washington’s receivers stand out this summer. McCaffrey looks ready for a big leap, and Lane looked good this offseason.
This should be a pretty solid group. The Commanders need McCaffrey to take a step forward. If that happens, this group suddenly looks much more formidable. Washington knows what it’s getting in McLaurin and has a pretty good idea of what Samuel will bring. Noah Brown was called upon to be the No. 2 receiver during the first half of last season, and he played well. Brown is Washington’s biggest receiver and is excellent at drawing flags. Whether he starts or not, he will play significant snaps.
#Commanders #training #camp #preview #Wide #receivers
