10 Bold Predictions for the Washington Football Team in 2021

May 14, 2021; Ashburn, Virginia, USA; Washington Football Team running back Jaret Patterson (35) carries the ball during rookie minicamp at Inova Sports Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Taetsch-USA TODAY Sports
May 14, 2021; Ashburn, Virginia, USA; Washington Football Team running back Jaret Patterson (35) carries the ball during rookie minicamp at Inova Sports Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Taetsch-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 15, 2019; Landover, MD, USA; Washington Redskins wide receiver Terry McLaurin (17) scores a touchdown as Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Nate Gerry (47) chases in the first quarter at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 15, 2019; Landover, MD, USA; Washington Redskins wide receiver Terry McLaurin (17) scores a touchdown as Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Nate Gerry (47) chases in the first quarter at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /

Bold Prediction 2: Terry McLaurin will finish as a top-five WR

I don’t think Terry McLaurin gets enough credit for what he has been able to accomplish thus far in his Washington Football Team career.

As a rookie, after being seen as a special teams player who may be a lower-end receiver, McLaurin finished inside among the top 30 WRs in receiving yards, finishing with 58 receptions for 919 yards and seven touchdowns, all while having Case Kennum, Dwayne Haskins, and Colt McCoy as his quarterbacks.

During his sophomore season, in spite of facing constant double teams, he finished with 87 receptions for 1,118 yards and four touchdowns in 15 games, which was just outside the top 10 in receiving yards among WRs.

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With a healthy Antonio Gibson, added speed in Curtis Samuels and Dyami Brown, and the addition of Fitzpatrick who is not afraid to go down the field, McLaurin will finish as a top-five WR.

Yes, there will be more mouths to feed on offense, but with the WR position going from one of the team’s biggest weaknesses to one of its strengths, teams will no longer be able to focus their attention exclusively on McLaurin.

Fitzpatrick also has been able to get the most out of his WR1 when he has the chance to start over 10+ games in a season. In 2019 with Miami, Fitzpatrick started 13 games and his primary receiver, DeVante Parker, finished as a top-five receiver.

In 2015, the last time Fitzpatrick started 16 games, his primary receiver, Brandon Marshall finished as a top-five receiver. He will do the same with McLaurin in 2021.