Washington Football Team Training Camp Profile: WR Cam Sims

Washington Football Team wide receiver Cam Sims is entering a year that will likely shape the rest of his career in the nation’s capital.

Cam Sims is entering year number four with the Washington Football Team, and he most assuredly has something to prove in 2021. A breakout 2020 campaign put the 25-year-old receiver on the map for Washington, but he was only signed to a one-year deal after ending the season as a restricted free agent.

Sims’ brief career in the burgundy and gold has largely been defined by learning how to translate his raw talent into consistent on-field production. The 6-foot-5, 220-pound wideout was able to do just that a year ago.

Cam Sims’ emergence for the WFT in 2020

After starting only one game in his first two seasons, the Monroe, Louisiana native started ten games at receiver opposite mega-talent Terry McLaurin. Sims’ ten starts led him to tallying 32 catches for 477 yards and one touchdown. 

The big outside threat’s 48 targets were fourth on the team behind primary offensive options McLaurin, Logan Thomas, and J.D. McKissic. Each of those players saw over 100 targets a piece from the combination of quarterbacks that took snaps for Washington.

However, Sims finished ahead of all the above with a solid 7.8 yards after catch per reception, 10.9 yards average depth of target, and 14.9 receiving yards per reception.

What Cam Sims was able to put on tape playing in year one under Scott Turner’s offense was an efficient usage of his exceptional physical tools, along with an ability to stand above the rest in key situations.

His impressive catch against the Steelers at Heinz Field in Week 13 is a prime example of one of those clutch moments.

Washington was tied up with Pittsburgh at 17 a piece, and desperately needed someone to step up. Quarterback Alex Smith dropped back from his own 44-yard line and put a ball up for Sims. Sims reached out his right hand and pulled the ball in for a 29-yard gain.

Even though the one-handed grab was just one single snap in a hard-fought contest, it was as special as it could get in the moment. The catch led to what ended up being an eventual game-winning Dustin Hopkins field goal. Sims’ big play contributed to ending the Steelers’ 11-game win streak, and helped catapult Washington towards an eventual division championship and playoff berth.

What to expect from Cam Sims in 2021

Current receivers, including Terry McLaurin, free agent addition Curtis Samuel, and incoming rookie Dyami Brown, have received the bulk of the attention in the offseason. A player like Cam Sims almost seems to be the forgotten man of the group.

The Washington Football Team ought to be ecstatic with the depth they have put together at wide receiver though. McLaurin and Samuel are proven commodities, and Brown has the makeup of a true superstar in this writer’s humble opinion.

However, the entire unit is presumably over the moon to finally have a gunslinger at quarterback with Ryan Fitzpatrick.

The Fitzpatrick element is a hot topic among the Washington Football Team fan base, simply because the veteran signal caller very much runs hot or cold on any given week. Regardless, we do know that he will give his receivers a chance to make plays no matter the potential consequences.

For Cam Sims, his sole focus going into the 2021 season will be to build upon the stable foundation he laid in 2020. The addition of Fitzpatrick alone should help Sims properly use his size and length to become a legit chain-mover and red zone threat.

If Sims can put up a season of around 600-750 yards and six touchdowns, it would likely cement his standing in Washington. It would also show that he was able to feast on smaller corners, and win his share of 50-50 balls from the new field general.

Final Thoughts

Excellence with every on-field rep must be attained by Cam Sims in order to further earn the recognition and trust of the coaching staff and starting quarterback.

Competition in camp will be intense for all, but this former undrafted free agent seemingly has the mental fortitude to secure himself a bright future in the nation’s capital.

While training camp will obviously provide us with a closer view of Sims and the rest of the roster, it is one part of a long journey. Please stick with us here at Riggo’s Rag for constant coverage on all things Washington Football Team.