Commanders Can't Lose 'QB-Proof' Terry McLaurin

The Commanders enter the new season with a host of questions, but receiver Terry McLaurin will be at the center of any of Washington's potential success.

Washington second-year quarterback Sam Howell will need all the help he can get if the franchise is to challenge the likes of Philadelphia and Dallas in the NFC East.

Having put all their eggs into the "Howell basket," Washington knows it needs offensive production. That's where Pro Bowl receiver Terry McLaurin comes into the equation. 

Having had three consecutive 1,000+ receiving yard seasons, McLaurin is vital to Washington's ability to win football games...and CBS Sports.com recognizes this and has listed "Scary Terry" as one player the Commanders can't afford to lose next season.

"If Ron Rivera really believes new QB Sam Howell is capable of emerging as a long-term answer, he'd better hope the team's WR1 stays healthy, providing the second-year gunslinger with a downfield threat who's been relatively QB-proof in terms of production," CBS Sports.com writes.

The term "QB-proof" is fitting for McLaurin as the production for the last three years has been with quarterbacks such as Taylor Heinicke, Carson Wentz, Alex Smith, and Dwayne Haskins (both in 2020).

Now, he gets to add another quarterback to the list in Howell, not that it will worry McLaurin.

With Howell now stepping into the starting role (for now) as training camp approaches, we have seen across the league how important it is for young quarterbacks to have a dependable veteran receiver.

McLaurin isn't a veteran as such (27 years old), but he brings consistent production. With the quarterback carousel last season with Heinicke and Wentz, McLaurin still put up Pro Bowl-level numbers which shows his quality.

After McLaurin's 1,191 receiving yards, the next best receiver was Curtis Samuel (656 yards). This further illustrates how vital McLaurin is to the Commanders and how he is rightfully named as one player the franchise can't afford to lose.

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