Fantasy Football Player Notes

McLaurin scored 13 touchdowns in 2024 after never having more than seven in any previous season. McLaurin also had his catch rate jump from 58.9% in 2023 to 70.1%, helping to fuel a WR6 finish in half-point PPR fantasy scoring. There could be some statistical regression for McLaurin in 2025, but he's the undisputed No. 1 receiver in an ascendant passing offense led by exciting young QB Jayden Daniels.

Appraising the 2025 fantasy value of Deebo Samuel isn't easy. He moved from the 49ers to the Commanders in the offseason, and Deebo should be a pretty good fit for Commanders OC Kliff Kinsbury's offense, which can be heavy on short passes. It's unreasonable to expect anything like the numbers Deebo gave us in 2021, when he racked up 1,770 yards from scrimmage and 14 touchdowns. In the three seasons since, Deebo has averaged 51 receiving yards per game, which seems like a reasonable expectation for what he can provided in 2025. He provides some rushing value, too. But durability is a concern. Deebo has missed eight games over the last three seasons.

Jaylin Lane enters the NFL as a fourth-round pick by the Washington Commanders, initially expected to make his mark as the team's starting punt returner. But don't rule out a larger offensive role. With Terry McLaurin in the final year of his contract and Deebo Samuel on a one-year deal with an extensive injury history, Lane has a realistic path to becoming the starting slot receiver in Washington - especially with last year's third-round pick Luke McCaffrey failing to impress. Lane is a dynamic playmaker and elite athlete. Measuring in at 5-foot-10, 191 pounds, he ran a sub-4.4 40, jumped at least 11'0″ in the broad, and cleared 40″ in the vertical, making him one of just eight WRs to hit all three athletic benchmarks since 2003. He ranked 4th in the 2025 class in YAC per reception (8.5) and has over 100 career kick/punt returns, reinforcing his playmaking ability in space.