Redskins’ Terry McLaurin named best WR in NFC East by PFF

Their receiving core as a whole might not be inspiring, but according to experts, the Redskins have a budding star in Terry McLaurin.

Washington Redskins third-round selection Terry McLaurin quickly became a fan favorite among fans in the D.C. area, first for his work ethic and down-to-earth nature, then for his early-season heroics, then for his weekly explosions on the national stage, and then for his phonetically-pleasing surname.

McLaurin vastly outperformed his draft slot in 2019, amassing 58 receptions, 919 yards, and seven touchdowns in fourteen games. Despite playing with inconsistent quarterback play, McLaurin transcended his circumstances and rose to the occasion, becoming a true WR1 for Washington. Had he played one more game, he might have broken the 1,000-yard mark.

Now, heading into year two, Turbo Terry, or Scary Terry, or F1 McLaurin — or whatever you want to call him — is one of the most anticipated offensive stars in the league, and according to Pro Football Focus, he’s already on track to be the best receiver in his division. Here’s the video from PFF, touting McLaurin for his early success, and his versatility within his role:

This distinction is notable for McLaurin. While the NFC East isn’t the deepest division at the wide receiver position, there’s still a blue-chip player in Amari Cooper, as well as quickly-developing young weapons, such as Michael Gallup, Darius Slayton, and Sterling Shepard.

Pro Football Focus makes the case that McLaurin could be better than all of them by the end of the year.

It’s dangerous to anoint players early, but McLaurin proved himself to have the necessary skill set in 2019. He’s an elite athlete, who has the short-range explosiveness to gain separation early, as well as the route running nuance to get open in longer ranges and stretch the field. He’s also proficient in contested catch situations, as he used his laser focus and body control to haul in some truly incredible catches.

With Dwayne Haskins working to take a leap in 2020, and with the rest of Washington’s receiving core lacking clarity, it’s very possible that McLaurin could take another giant step in 2020, and become not just one of the best receivers in the NFC East, but one of the best receivers in the league.