Washington
Washington Commanders Positional Review: Wide Receiver
The Washington Commanders enter the offseason with a league-average wide receiver room. Terry McLaurin just completed his fourth straight 1,000-yard season and remains the team’s leader in every sense of the word. Unfortunately, Jahan Dotson regressed in his second year, and Curtis Samuel is headed for unrestricted free agency. As mentioned in the Running Back Review, Washington is well-positioned with both cap space and draft capital to upgrade across the roster. The Commanders will acquire another starting wide receiver this offseason.
Commanders Wide Receiver Review
Current Depth Chart
Terry McLaurin
Washington’s top two receivers are locked in for 2024, at minimum. The 28-year-old McLaurin signed a 3-year, $68.3 million deal through 2025 and has been well worth his money. He’s a pillar of consistency for a franchise mired in inconsistency. 2023 marks McLaurin’s third consecutive season in which he’s played all 17 games and recorded at least 77 catches, 1,000 yards, and four touchdowns. He’s a no-brainer WR1 and will likely be playing with his tenth different starting NFL quarterback next season.
Jahan Dotson
2022 first-round pick Jahan Dotson didn’t live up to the hype after a promising rookie season. Despite playing in five more games as a sophomore, he decreased both his yardage total and touchdown total from his rookie year. Additionally, the team passed for almost 400 more yards in 2023 than in 2022, demonstrating that Dotson commanded a smaller piece of a larger pie in his second year. But it gets worse. Reception Perception founder Matt Harmon expressed legitimate concerns regarding Dotson’s route-running regression and long-term upside. He enters a make-or-break season in 2024.
The Others
In addition to McLaurin and Dotson, Washington currently has five other receivers on the roster: Dyami Brown, Dax Milne, Mitchell Tinsley, Bryce Tremayne, and Davion Davis. Of these, only Tinsley is signed beyond 2024, and only Brown holds a dead cap hit of more than $20,000. To summarize, none are guarantees to make the active roster next season. Brown could resume his role as a serviceable fourth receiver but shouldn’t be trusted as a full-time player. The most interesting prospect of the group could be Tinsley, who made a splash in the preseason and could be ready for a bigger role. Milne, Tremayne, and Davis belong on the practice squad.
Free Agent Options
Tee Higgins, CIN
Given his age (25) and perceived upside, Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins could land one of the biggest contracts in free agency this offseason. It would only make sense for the team with the most cap space in the NFL to sign him. Joe Burrow has been outspoken about his desire to re-sign his talented 6’4″ 219 lbs receiver, but Higgins isn’t the only Bengals receiver who expects to be paid. Superstar Ja’Marr Chase will be a free agent next offseason and will likely jump to the top of Cincy’s list of priorities. Washington could swoop in and outbid the Bengals.
Gabriel Davis, BUF
Gabe Davis fits the big-bodied field-stretcher archetype that would theoretically complement McLaurin and Dotson well. Davis has been unpredictable on a game-by-game basis but consistent on a season-long basis. Through four seasons, he’s played in at least 15 games, averaged at least 15.7 yards per catch, and scored at least six touchdowns every year. For perspective, McLaurin hasn’t exceeded 15.7 yards per catch since his rookie season, and Dotson averaged 10.6 YPC this year. At an expected $13.6 million annual price tag, Davis could be worth the investment.
Draft Options
Devontez Walker, UNC
The 2024 rookie wide receiver class looks incredible. According to a compilation of 107 big boards, there are 13 wide receivers listed in the top 56 NFL prospects. The Commanders could turn to the receiver position with picks 67, 101, or 103. If so, Tez Walker is one of the most interesting options. He’s listed at 6’3″ 200 lbs and can take the top off the defense with his long speed. After transferring from Kent State, Walker teamed with potential #2 pick Drake Maye to average 17.0 yards per catch and score 7 touchdowns in 2023. Maye and Walker could form the UNC-to-D.C. connection that Sam Howell and Dyami Brown never could.
Brenden Rice, USC
You might have heard of his father. And, like Tez Walker, Brenden Rice had the luxury of catching passes from a pretty good college quarterback too. But Rice is a solid prospect in his own right. He scored 12 touchdowns on 17.6 yards per catch at 6’2″ and 210 lbs, fitting the mold that the Commanders should be looking for. While Walker wins with speed, however, Rice wins with superior route-running and physicality. With McLaurin and Rice on the boundaries, Dotson in the slot, and an upgraded tight end, Washington’s skill group would be ready-made for a rookie quarterback.
Main Photo: Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports
CLEVELAND, OHIO – MAY 26: James Wood #29 of the Washington Nationals celebrates after hitting a two-run homer during the second inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field on May 26, 2026, in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
Getty Images
Washington Nationals slugger, James Wood, doesn’t get the credit he deserves.
But he’s turning heads. Opponents fear him. Fans love to watch him play.
The left-handed hitting Wood, only 23, is a clear 5-tool Major League Baseball player. He won’t turn 24 until September 17.
Wood hits for power, has a respectable batting average, has excellent speed, plays good defense, and has a strong throwing arm. Five tools.
Wood is getting every inch of power from his large, 6-6, 234 pound frame.
Not only has Wood hit 16 home rus so far this season, and he has walked 51 times in his 294 plate appearances.
At the start of play Friday June 5, Wood has compiled a very impressive stat line of .264.401.527/.929.
The Nationals have surprised plenty of MLB teams with their consistent power display, their excellent hard contact and extra base hit skills, and their overall offensive performance.
James Wood is a special player for the Washington Nationals.
It would not be out of question to see the Nationals claim a spot in the competitive National League playoffs.
Wood is clearly the leader of the surging Nationals.
Washington Nationals’ James Wood in action during a baseball game against the New York Mets, Thursday, May 21, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. Wood hits in the leadoff position for Washington, and he sets the table for the team’s lineup. Using excellent hand-eye coordination, good pitch recognition, and an appropriately aggressive approach at the plate, Wood is a dangerous leadoff bat.
Wood has the ability to foul off plenty of pitches, until he finds the pitch he can drive.
In a series against the Cleveland Guardians May 25-27, Wood hit two home runs, while collecting eight hits in 12 plate appearances.
After the second game of the series, the Toronto Star said this: …”Wood’s towering, 401 foot drive to right field was his 15th homer of the season, and second in as many days…Wood leads the majors with 49 runs and ranks third with 29 extra-base hits.”
Wood was a 2nd round pick of the San Diego Padres n the 2021 Major League Baseball draft. He was chosen out of MG Academy in Bradenton, Florida. Wood’s signing bonus was equivalent to the slot value of a first round pick.
Wood’s signing bonus encouraged him to sign with the Padres, as opposed to completing his plan to attend Mississippi State University.
LOS ANGELES, CA – JULY 18: Juan Soto #22 of the Washington Nationals holds the T-Mobile Home Run Derby Championship Trophy and wears the championship chain as he poses for a photo with Bad Bunny after winning the final round during the T-Mobile Home Run Derby at Dodger Stadium on Monday, July 18, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Mary DeCicco/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
MLB Photos via Getty Images Wood never played for the San Diego Padres. He was traded to Washington in a blockbuster deal that sent budding star Juan Soto to the Padres.
As Baseballreference.com noted, in that August 2, 2022 transaction, the Padres sent Wood, shortstop CJ Abrams, pitcher MacKenzie Gore, outfielder Robert Hassell III, right-handed pitcher Jarlin Susana, and first baseman Luke Voit to Washington for Soto, and first baseman Josh Bell. It was the type of franchise-changing deal the Padres were noted for at the time.
Of course, Soto now plays for the New York Mets, and Wood is thriving as the team-leader of the Nationals.
Wood is only in his third year with Washington, and there is no telling how much more impact he will have when he reaches his baseball prime. That’s still some four years away, and already, Wood is busting fences, stealing bases, making outstanding defensive catches, and playing the game with passion.
Wood was an All Star for the National in 2025, when he hit .256/.350/.475/.825, with 31 home runs, and 94 RBIs in 689 plate appearances. He stole 15 bases.
The only blemish on Wood’s 2025 production, was his 221 strikeouts. He walked 85 times. While there is swing-and-miss in his game, Wood appears to have improved his contact this season.
Wood has also exercised good pitch selection, as his walk rate is climbing.
Wood has plenty of raw power, but an inside the park, grand slam home run he hit against the Mets May 19 exemplifies the type of season Wood is having. Here is a comment about Wood’s homer on msn.com, “Wood hit a Statcast measured 29.4 feet per second sprint speed. The Nationals Park crowd was on its feet, sensing something special.” The homer never left the park.
The Washington Nationals now find themselves with a highly competitive, highly entertaining team. Finally. They have waited a long time for this type of excitement in Washington.
5-Tool star James Wood is just the type of player to lead the Washington Nationals to great success in this 2026 MLB season.About Washington Nationals James Wood:
As noted by MLBtraderumors.com at the time he sighed with the Padres, Wood received a massive $2.6M signing bonus from San Diego as the No. 62 player taken in the draft. That 62nd slot value was listed at $1.1M.The San Diego Padres Traded James Wood to the Washington Nationals:
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WSFA) – A request was approved for the Alabama National Guard to support operations surrounding the America250 events in Washington, Gov. Kay Ivey announced Thursday.
“One month from today, our nation will mark 250 years of freedom. Without hesitation, the Alabama National Guard is proud to support America250 events,” Ivey said.
As the nation prepares to mark the 250th anniversary of American independence, 150 soldiers from the 123rd Quartermaster Company in Arab will assist with support operations connected to major public events in Washington, D.C.
The guard members will work alongside the D.C. National Guard and civil servants throughout the U.S. National Capital Region in coordination with the National Guard Bureau.
“From the founding of our country to the freedoms we are still blessed to defend today, America’s 250th anniversary is a powerful reminder of the service and sacrifice that make greatness possible,” said Alabama National Guard Adjutant General Maj. Gen. David Pritchett.
The soldiers are expected to arrive in Washington before the 4th of July activities and serve a 90-day rotation.
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Copyright 2026 WSFA. All rights reserved.
The Catholic archbishop of Washington DC on Wednesday removed a well-known priest as an exorcist of the archdiocese after he made public comments suggesting that UFO sightings were the work of demons.
Cardinal Robert McElroy said the archdiocese also was cutting ties with the St Michael Center for Spiritual Renewal, a Washington-based non-profit headed by the priest, Monsignor Stephen Rossetti.
The archbishop said Rossetti’s statements “linking UFOs to demonic presence and the Center’s recent use of social media gravely undermine the Church’s very precise teaching on the devil, demons and exorcism”.
“There’s a danger here,” Rossetti said in a 29 May video posted on his Facebook page addressing UFO sightings and the existence of aliens. “As an exorcist I wanted to raise that danger. And that is that demons like to hide … They don’t want us to know what they’re doing because they’re more effective when we don’t realize it.
“They can kind of get into your head, you know, and manipulate things in the world to influence us to do evil.
“It’s my personal belief that probably many if not most of these UFO sightings are in fact demons,” Rossetti added.
Rossetti also said that people can be good Catholics and believe there’s life on other planets, though he does not personally believe life exists elsewhere.
In a statement posted on the St Michael Center website, Rossetti said he was saddened by the action of the archdiocese.
“I ask forgiveness for any ways that I have not been faithful to the teachings of the Church’s Magisterium, particularly in the cited video on ‘aliens and the demonic’,” he said. “I believe it is of the utmost importance to be obedient to the Church and I will continue to endeavor to subject all that I do and the Center to be thus obedient.”
Rossetti, who has more than 148,000 followers on Instagram, is a prominent psychologist as well as an exorcist. His center has specialized in offering spiritual healing for priests troubled by various difficulties.
In 2023, he told the Associated Press there was increasing and renewed appetite for information about demonic possession and exorcism.
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