One of the contract situations we’ve been monitoring this offseason has been resolved. According to a report from ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter, the Washington Commanders and WR Terry McLaurin have agreed to a three-year contract extension worth up to $71 million in new money.
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The Commanders finally put some respect on Terry McLaurin‘s name by handing him the bag. McLaurin deserves to be in the conversation among the league’s best wide receivers. Despite being plagued by pitiful quarterback play during his career, he’s finished as the WR29, WR20, and WR29 in fantasy points per game. His efficiency paints an even rosier picture over the same span as he’s ranked 16th, 31st, and 28th in yards per route run among wideouts (minimum 50 targets, per PFF). With Carson Wentz under center, McLaurin could now enjoy the best downfield passer he’s ever played with. Yes, I know. The data below shows a low bar eclipse, but it’s still a massive upgrade for Washington’s leading passing game weapon. While I conservatively have McLaurin currently ranked as the WR20, if he and Wentz get on the same page early on deep tosses, he could blow past that with his first top 12 season in 2022.
While I conservatively have McLaurin currently ranked as the WR20, if he and Wentz get on the same page early on deep tosses, he could blow past that with his first top 12 season in 2022.
– Derek Brown
McLaurin is getting paid in Washington pic.twitter.com/3OjilZodma
— FantasyPros (@FantasyPros) June 28, 2022
Terry McLaurin Expert Note
Terry McLaurin got the WR1 treatment for Washington in 2021. He ran a route on 91% of offensive dropbacks and finished second in the NFL in air yards share behind only Justin Jefferson (37%).
But the horrible quarterback play in the nation’s capital limited McLaurin’s fantasy production to fantasy WR25 status.
Many will point to new Washington quarterback Carson Wentz as just another retread of bad quarterback play coming TMC’s way, but I am much more optimistic.
The former No. 2 overall pick has a proven track record of sustaining fantasy viable weapons – most notably Jonathan Taylor and Michael Pittman Jr. from a season ago. His 27 passing touchdowns, 7 interceptions and 67.9 PFF passing grade are miles better than Washington’s 20 passing touchdowns, 15 interceptions and 58.3 PFF passing grade in 2021.
– Andrew Erickson
Washington Commanders Stats to Know & Top Takeaways
Terry McLaurin Fantasy Football Stats to Know:
- Terry McLaurin has never caught a pass from a quarterback ranked higher than 25th in deep-ball completion rate.
- 2021
- Taylor Heinicke — 25th
- 2020
- Alex Smith — 25th
- Dwayne Haskins — 37th
- 2019
- Case Keenum — 26th
- Dwayne Haskins — 28th
- In 2021 Terry McLaurin ranked fifth in deep targets among wideouts.
- Last year Carson Wentz ranked sixth in deep ball completion rate and fourth in deep-ball accuracy rate.
- Last year Carson Wentz (fifth, 10th) and Taylor Heinicke (third, sixth) finished inside the top ten in play-action dropback rate and highest yards per attempt difference on play-action throws.
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2022 Fantasy Football Staff Consensus Rankings
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