The Washington Football Team wide receivers are one of the more polarizing units on the roster. It’s one of the youngest groups on the team and while the talent is high, the experience is low. Around the NFL, fans are a bit too low on the receiving corps, and there is a chance it could be one of the strengths of the offense. Washington’s wide receivers are flying under the radar, but the ceiling of the unit is higher than most realize. Which wide receivers will ultimately make the 2020 roster?
The Washington wide receivers
- Terry McLaurin
- Kelvin Harmon
- Steven Sims Jr.
- Antonio Gandy-Golden
- Dontrelle Inman
- Cam Sims
- Trey Quinn
- Darvin Kidsy Jr.
- Isaiah Wright
- Jordan Veasy
- Jester Weah
- Jonathan Johnson
How many receivers will Washington carry?
Washington is in an interesting spot. They can afford to only keep five or six receivers on the active roster because they have multiple running backs who can function as part-time receivers. There are currently 12 receivers on the roster. However, sophomore receiver Kelvin Harmon tore his ACL this season and will likely spend the entirety of the year on IR. Meaning the Washington wide receivers are down one of their more talented young pass-catchers. Expect Harmon to be an important member of the offense in the future, but for this training camp preview, he won’t be focused on.
Who are the receiving options to watch out for?
The incumbent starters
Obviously, when thinking of Washington’s wide receivers, Terry McLaurin is the first name everyone thinks of. He was dominant as a rookie last year and was arguably the top rookie receiver in the NFL. He has effortless 4.3 speed, and that makes him a natural deep threat.
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However, he’s more than just a field stretcher. McLaurin displayed elite route running, was very strong in contested catch situations, and he can make yards for himself after the catch. With uncertainty surrounding the rest of the offense, there’s a very real chance McLaurin is one of the most productive receivers in the NFL this year.
The other player that should be view as “locked-in” to their position is Steven Sims Jr. at the slot receiver position. Sims provided a spark plug to a Washington offense that was very stagnant and boring until he became a full-time member of the line-up. Sims is excellent with the ball in his hands, making defenders miss and erasing angles. This makes him a very good slot receiver, occasional rusher, and a strong returner. Expect Sims to be multi-faceted in Scott Turner’s offense, and to be the second most productive Washington WR.
The rookies
The player most likely to start opposite of McLaurin is 2020 fourth-rounder Antonio Gandy-Golden out of Liberty. Washington fans should be excited about his aggression at the catch point and natural size for the receiving position. With McLaurin measuring in at 6’0 and Sims being only 5’10, it’s nice to have Gandy-Golden in the line-up with his 6’4 frame.
The WR2 position was going to be contested in training camp between Gandy-Golden and the aforementioned Harmon, with my pick being Harmon as the victor. However, with Harmon’s season being lost, Gandy-Golden should be the favorite to come out of training camp as the third starting receiver with McLaurin and Sims.
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Another rookie receiver that some Washington fans are very excited about is former Temple weapon, Isaiah Wright. In his career at Temple, Wright compiled over 2,000 yards from scrimmage averaging a receiving touchdown every 10.5 touches over his last three seasons. He also rushed for over 500 yards in his career. Wright has legitimate 4.4 speed, and the team could decide his athletic ability and explosiveness with the ball in his hands is enough to warrant a spot on the 53-man roster.
The final rookie is a lesser-known player out of Missouri, Jonathan Johnson. Johnson left Mizzou as the sixth most productive receiver in school history. Built in the same mold as Wright, Johnson is electric with the ball in his hands. He wins by making plays after the catch, or by taking the ball on a direct hand-off. I can see a future where one of these players makes the team, but not one where both do.
The other Washington Wide Receivers
Washington recently brought in former Chargers and Colts receiver Dontrelle Inman. Inman has the talent to be able to push Gandy-Golden for the starting spot opposite of McLaurin. He has the size, experience, and a history of production in his career. Inman should be viewed as an almost lock to make the roster, and if he is not the starting receiver he’ll be the first one off the bench.
After Inman, there’s a trio of receivers who have all had their bright moments with the teams. Trey Quinn was a fan favorite for a year when he was expected to be the team’s lead slot receiver. Cam Sims was dominant in the 2018 preseason, and Washington fans acted as if he was the next Calvin Johnson. Finally, Darvin Kidsy also had some success in last year’s preseason. He’s close with quarterback Dwayne Haskins and has soft hands, both elements that could play favorably.
The final two receivers on the roster are Jester Weah and Jordan Veasy. Weah was a productive receiver at Pitt and was one of the nation’s top deep threat’s his junior year finishing second in the nation with 24.2 yards per reception. Veasy had two strong years at California where he registered a touchdown every seven receptions. Both are long-shots to make the 53-man roster.
Who makes the roster?
These are strictly my predictions as to who I believe makes the final 53-man roster.
- Terry McLaurin
- Steven Sims Jr.
- Antonio Gandy-Golden
- Dontrelle Inman
- Cam Sims
- Trey Quinn
- Darvin Kidsy
- Isaiah Wright (Practice Squad)
Stat Predictions
- Terry McLaurin: 85 receptions, 1,150 yards, 8 touchdowns.
- Steven Sims Jr.: 50 receptions, 500 yards, 5 touchdowns.
- Antonio Gandy-Golden: 30 receptions, 350 yards, 2 touchdowns.
- Dontrelle Inman: 28 receptions, 250 yards, 1 touchdown.
- Trey Quinn: 8 receptions, 60 yards, 1 touchdown.
- Cam Sims: 6 receptions, 50 yards, 0 touchdowns.
- Darvin Kidsy: 3 receptions, 25 yards, 0 touchdowns.
Overview
The Washington wide receivers are a young and hungry group that will look to prove doubters wrong. McLaurin is the obvious alpha, and look for him to be one of the most productive receivers in the NFL this year. Sims has a lock on the slot position, and should also be mildly productive. Inman and Gandy-Golden will battle it out fo the starting spot opposite of McLaurin, with the loser being the first receiver off the bench. Quinn, Sims, and Kidsy should all be lightly used without any playing significant roles in the offense.