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Five Redskins to watch in NFL Week 1 season opener vs. Eagles

By Jacob Camenker

ATLANTA, GA - AUGUST 22: Derrius Guice #29 of the Washington Redskins takes selfies with fans at the conclusion of an NFL preseason game against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on August 22, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - AUGUST 22: Derrius Guice #29 of the Washington Redskins takes selfies with fans at the conclusion of an NFL preseason game against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on August 22, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) /
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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – DECEMBER 01: Terry McLaurin #83 of the Ohio State Buckeyes celebrates after winning the Big Ten Championship against the Northwestern Wildcats at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 1, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – DECEMBER 01: Terry McLaurin #83 of the Ohio State Buckeyes celebrates after winning the Big Ten Championship against the Northwestern Wildcats at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 1, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /

4. WR Terry McLaurin

The Redskins don’t have a lot of proven options in the receiving corps. In fact, the five receivers on the roster not named Paul Richardson have combined for just 9 career catches.

So, yeah. The ‘Skins are going to need somebody to step up at the position. And that could be Terry McLaurin.

Though McLaurin only saw limited action in the preseason — he dealt with some minor injuries and the coaching staff elected not to rush him back — he did flash some solid ability. The third-round pick from Ohio State has very good speed and in the wake of Josh Doctson’s release, he will be a starter for the team. That will give him a chance to emerge as a weapon early in his career.

McLaurin’s first chance to break through will come against the Eagles. He will be going up against the corner duo of Ronald Darby and Sidney Jones while playing on the outside. And if the Eagles focus more on the more proven option in the passing game in Richardson, McLaurin could have a chance to find some open space.

Either way, McLaurin will be a player to watch for the Redskins. Fans didn’t get a long look at him during the preseason. So, they’ll want to see what his upside truly looks like in Week 1. Obviously, it won’t be a time to rush to judgment, but if McLaurin can get open and make some catches, that will at least build some confidence in his abilities.

Also, McLaurin is a good special teams player, so seeing how the Redskins plan to deploy him in that department will be fascinating.

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