Washington Football Team: 3 players who’ve made biggest impressions at training camp so far

The Washington Football Team isn’t getting talked about as a team that could make noise this upcoming season, but this roster has the requisite talent to do just that.

By all accounts, Washington should go head-to-head with the Cowboys — and potentially the Giants if their offensive line holds up and Daniel Jones cuts down on turnovers — for their second straight division crown and the chance to host a playoff game.

Having said that, however, a seasoned head coach like Ron Rivera knows better than to allow his players to buy into the hype. That often leads to complacency, and nothing the Football Team has done over the years to suggest they can afford to become self-satisfied.

You know what would go a long way towards preventing that from happening? Having a vigorous training camp, and these three players have really set the tone for the team.

These three Washington Football Team players have made the biggest impressions at training camp.

3. DeAndre Carter

When the Football Team signed DeAndre Carter to a one-year deal back in April, most fans believed it was a move to add an extra body for training camp. With Washington’s receiving corps locked and loaded for 2021, surely Carter would fall out of favor at some point, right?

The 28-year-old wideout clearly has other plans, because he’s been one of the standout performers at training camp thus far. Long considered just a return specialist, albeit one of the best in the NFL, Carter came down with the catch of camp over the weekend.

DeAndre Carter has surprised everyone at training camp.

To further highlight Carter’s camp, Rivera acknowledged a few days ago that the 5-foot-8 receiver has “looked good with his hands.” Additionally, the Football Team has made it a point of emphasis to inject Carter’s speed into the offense by utilizing him on jet sweeps and end-arounds.

If he makes the final roster, Carter’s adeptness in the return game will help Washington overcome one of their most damning flaws from a season ago. For context, they ranked 21st in average yards per kick return (20.81) and 27th in yards per punt return (5.68).

Over his three years in the NFL, Carter has averaged 9.3 yards per return. The icing on the cake? He’s just as impactful on punts as he is on kick returns.

In other words, don’t be shocked if Carter — as long as he keeps this up — makes the team and carves out a role as a gadget-type receiver and return specialist.