Washington Football Team’s Terry McLaurin worked with Doug Baldwin
By Ian Cummings
Washington Football Team star receiver Terry McLaurin is coming off a season that saw him catch 87 passes for 1,118 yards. Even after breaking the 1,000-yard milestone, he’s not getting complacent.
The emergence of Terry McLaurin as an offensive weapon has been of great benefit to the Washington Football Team. It wasn’t exactly expected back in 2019; the Washington Football Team was just as taken by McLaurin’s special teams ability when they drafted. But McLaurin quickly proved his mettle as a receiver, and now, he’s one of the best in the league.
Of course, don’t tell McLaurin that. He still doesn’t believe it. The Ohio State product is still honing his craft as he heads into year three. In fact, it was revealed yesterday that McLaurin worked with former Seattle Seahawks Pro Bowl wide receiver Doug Baldwin over the offseason.
According to The Athletic’s Ben Standig, McLaurin’s choice to work with Baldwin was calculated, aimed at improving his releases and techniques against press. In the words of McLaurin himself: “There’s a lot of film out on me now. If I can win at that line, that definitely gives me an advantage. That’s something I wanted to hone in on coming into this year.”
McLaurin’s quest to get better continues, and it’s hard to think of a better person than Doug Baldwin to learn from, at least in this context. At the peak of his eight-year career, Baldwin was a one of the best at gaining separation early on in his reps. He did this with quick, intricate release patterns, fast footwork, and active hands.
McLaurin already has the downfield speed, the route running ability, and the body control and strong hands at the catch point. If he can add Baldwin’s release prowess to his game, he can be an even more dangerous player, for a quarterback room that’s going to need to rely on its playmakers to produce.
Of course, even if he manages to successfully add this to his game, chances are McLaurin won’t stop working. That’s been the common theme so far, over the course of his two-year career. The former third-round pick never seems satisfied, and his work ethic always draws praise. That’s why Ron Rivera’s regime entrusted him with such a large role in 2020.
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And that’s why he should only be expected to keep moving up.