Washington Football Team: Early training camp observations

3. The Wide Receiver group is deep

A capable wide receiver will be cut at the conclusion of training camp, that is for sure. If Curtis Samuel comes back from his groin injury (and the COVID list) before Week 1, four receivers are all but locks to make the final 53-man roster: Terry McLaurin, Curtis Samuel, Dyami Brown, and Adam Humphries.

Cam Sims is also a “soft lock” due to what he showed in 2020, but he still has more to prove. So, that makes essentially five wide receivers already locked in. That leaves Kelvin Harmon, Antonio Gandy-Golden, Dax Milne, DeAndre Carter, Steven Sims, Tony Brown, and Isaiah Wright battling for the final spots.

And they are not making it an easy decision.  Harmon has had an impressive camp, flashing his sure hands, bringing down almost every catch. Gandy-Golden has done much of the same, as both he and Harmon are similar players. Seventh-round pick, Dax Milne, seems destined for the practice squad but he is another sure-handed slot receiver to keep an eye on.

And DeAndre Carter is making it hard to keep him off the roster with his positional flexibility. Even Steven Sims is putting together multiple good days after a shaky 2020, although it seems Carter is higher on the totem pole than Sims Jr.

The question the coaching staff must answer is how many wide receivers will they keep? Will they keep the usual six wide receivers or will they make room for a seventh to keep a  returner? The answer for who makes the roster will most likely come in the preseason.

And it will not be how good they are as receivers, that will separate the grouping. As the fifth and sixth receivers on the roster, they will likely get minimal touches in the real games, barring injuries. Their real impact will come on special teams. The receivers with the best chance to make the roster as backend wideouts are the ones that serve as assets on special teams.

DeAndre Carter is making such a strong impression in that regards so far. Head Coach Ron Rivera spoke highly of his positional flexibility to be a slot and outside receiver, as well as a duel kick returner. If Carter proves to be sure-handed as a return man in the preseason, solving a critical flaw in 2020 for Washington, he may just have himself a spot on the roster.

As an afterthought entering Richmond, he exited by making a name for himself. Most fans should acclimate themselves with DeAndre Carter, because he may play a key role in 2021.

Nonetheless, a capable wide receiver will most likely be cut. That is a stark contrast from years past. Players like Harmon and Cam Sims used to be the team’s best receivers. Now they are battling for a roster spot.

That is a clear sign of the overhaul the wide receiver room had in the 2021 offseason. The battle for the final wide receiver spots will be one to watch as training camp unfolds.

Have more training camp observations to share? Leave them in the comments below!