The Washington Commanders have left their fans wanting in the vast majority of seasons dating back to when dial-up internet was on the cutting edge. However, heading into the 2024 season, the team appears to be set up for a sneaky amount of success at one position.
At least, that is what one NFL analyst believes.
Writing for Bleacher Report, analyst Alex Ballentine called Terry McLaurin the second-most underrated wide receiver in the NFL. Here’s how the point was made:
“Terry McLaurin is one of a handful of receivers who have eclipsed 1,000 receiving yards in each of the last four seasons. The others didn’t have to deal with the sheer amount of quarterback turnover that Scary Terry has seen in Washington. A rundown of the quarterbacks who started games for the Commanders over the last four seasons doesn’t strike fear in the hearts of defensive coordinators. A 36-year-old Alex Smith, Kyle Allen, Taylor Heinicke and Sam Howell highlight the list,” Ballentine wrote.
Of course, while quarterback has been a turnstile for the Commanders on a perennial basis, McLaurin’s biggest factor working against him is his surrounding wide receiver room. For years, the star pass-catcher has constantly faced double teams.
Terry McLaurin waits for a fix for annual double-team trouble
Some receivers are elite enough to break through even when covered by two players. McLaurin might be good enough to deliver at a respectable clip consistently.
However, he has struggled to overcome the double teams.
Without another wide receiver good enough to scare defenses into picking their poison in choosing their player to double team, McLaurin has been locked up in a way that hinders his production.
If another receiver could emerge to force teams to allow for single coverage on McLaurin, the Commanders wideout could see a jump from roughly 1000 yards per season to 1500 yards per season. Adding quarterback Jayden Daniels could help the offense to a certain extent. That said, McLaurin may benefit more from splitting a defense in half with another brand-name wide receiver on the roster.
Rookie addition Luke McCaffrey offers some hope. Related to Christian McCaffrey, Luke has a chance to capitalize on Ed McCaffrey’s genes to stretch defenses to their brink. According to ESPN’s depth chart, Luke will be on the field for most offensive plays.
McCaffrey and Daniels will be working as rookies this year. As such, it appears that McLaurin could be in store for another difficult season.
The rookies will have growing pains. Meaning, it appears McLaurin is on deck for another onslaught of double teams with an unproven quarterback behind center. However, McLaurin could see some weight begin to be pulled from his shoulders late this season, providing hope.
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