Washington Roster Review: Wide Receivers
Taking a closer look at how Washington's wide recievers played in 2021 and where the team stands at the position heading into 2022
With the 2021 season in the books for Washington, it’s time to look back at the roster and evaluate each position to see where the team stands going into the offseason. Last week I looked at the defense and this week I’ve broken down the offensive line and tight ends. Today, it’s time to look at the wide receivers.
Under contract for 2022: Terry McLaurin, Curtis Samuel, Dyami Brown, Dax Milne.
Notable free agents: Adam Humphries, Cam Sims, DeAndre Carter.
Unit analysis:
As a unit, the wide receiver group was underwhelming in 2021, especially with the expectations placed on the group going into the season. Terry McLaurin is still an absolute stud, but hardly anyone else had particularly productive seasons. Big ticket free agent Curtis Samuel spent the vast majority of the year injured while rookie Dyami Brown didn’t quite develop the way Washington would have hoped.
Washington relied on its cheap veteran free agent additions for most of its production outside of McLaurin. Adam Humphries had an okay season but nothing spectacular while DeAndre Carter, signed initially as just a return specialist, found a role on offense that provided a spark occasionally, but he’s still nothing more than a third or fourth option.
The team desperately needed that second receiver to emerge and really missed Samuel not being in the line up. With him out, everyone else was promoted up a spot on the depth chart and most probably weren’t ready for that. The question for Washington going forward is can it rely on Samuel to stay healthy? Obviously, this regime knows what Samuel can bring, his history with Ron Rivera and Scott Turner is a big part of what made Washington go out and get him in free agency. If the team thinks he can get back to full health and maintain it next season, then Washington could make a solid argument for running it back with McLaurin and Samuel as the top two guys and letting everyone else move back to their appropriate spots on the depth chart.
However, if Washington has any reason to doubt Samuel’s health, given this injury lingered on and on all season, then wide receiver becomes a lower priority need in the offseason. That doesn’t mean the team should go out and chase Devante Adams or Chris Godwin, especially with Samuel counting for $12.9 million against the cap in 2022 and Terry McLaurin due an extension that could reach the $20 million mark. But a mid-tier guy that could offer some reliable stability opposite McLaurin and allow Samuel to play in the slot could be worthwhile. Alternatively, Washington could take a risky upside option like D.J. Chark, who could be cheap on a short-term deal as he works back from a big injury that kept him out of most of the 2021 season, hoping that at least one of Chark and Samuel could stay healthy and let Brown have more time to develop.
In terms of their own free agents, I would expect Adam Humphries to walk. His tie to the team was more with Ryan Fitzpatrick, who of course got hurt in the first game and never played again. Dax Milne showed a few flashes as a potential Humphries replacement in the slot if Washington wants to replace from within. DeAndre Carter should be someone Washington looks to bring back. His return ability is worth a spot on its own, but his emergency as an option at receiver could mean that between him and Milne, Washington could consider their slot position covered, especially if Samuel is healthy and spends some time inside too.
I’d look to bring back Cam Sims too. He hasn’t always had the opportunities but has been a reliable, consistent performer when given a chance. I’m not sure he’ll ever become a starting receiver for Washington, but he’s a good depth guy to have and can play both the X and Z receiver spots if needed.
But the ultimate priority for Washington outside of finding a quarterback this offseason should be extending Terry McLaurin. Washington doesn’t absolutely have to do it this year as he has the last year of his rookie contract to play out in 2022 and then Washington could go down the franchise tag route with him. But given how productive he’s been regardless of who has been throwing him the ball, and how good of a professional he is, Washington should do right by him and look to get an extension done as soon as possible.
Individual analysis:
Terry McLaurin had another strong season, further cementing his case for an extension this offseason. He had 77 receptions for 1053 yards and five touchdowns and frankly could have had much more than that with better quarterback play. He might not quite be in the top tier of wide receivers in the NFL, but he’s definitely not far off it. He improved his releases off the line of scrimmage, his route running is always crisp and creates separation while his speed is a genuine threat on every play. On top of that, his physicality is impressive as he can take a simple slant route and break a couple tackles to turn it into a 15 yard play in a hurry. He made a number of incredible contested catches on some underthrown passes, which must be particularly frustrating when McLaurin often had routes won only to have to come back to a poorly thrown ball and fight for it.
McLaurin began to receive the attention he deserves from defenses in the form of rolled coverage and bracket coverages. It wasn’t necessarily on every play, but certainly defensive backs were sure to note where McLaurin was at all times and focused on him a little more than any other Washington receiver. Scott Turner tried to take advantage of this at times, using that extra attention as a decoy to open up things for others, but without Samuel healthy, Washington lacked that other option to take advantage.
Keep reading with a 7-day free trial
Subscribe to Bullock's Film Room to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.