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.

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