6 Washington players who proved their worth in 2021

2. JD McKissic

It’d be easy to forget how indispensable JD McKissic was to Washington’s offense given he finished the year on injured reserve with a neck injury. Then again, the extent to which the group struggled without him tells its own story.

Leave it to McKissic to improve in 2021 after he finished the season prior second in the league in catches among running backs with 80. All he did was set career-highs in rushing and receiving touchdowns, as well as yards per reception.

If not for the injury, McKissic would’ve blown his previous personal bests in rushing and receiving yards out of the water.

Despite missing six games, the 28-year-old still finished second on the team in receiving. As much as an indictment as that is on Washington’s other playmakers, it’s just as impressive of a feat for the veteran running back.

Given what McKissic brings to the table as far as leadership, a clutch gene, picking up blitzes in pass protection and a steady presence as a receiver out of the backfield, Washington can’t afford to let him leave.

When asked about returning to Washington, here’s what McKissic said:

"“Before the injury, I felt like I was having one of the best seasons I could ask for — making plays and doing what I had to do to help the team win games. Washington wants me here and I want to be here, it’s as simple as it sounds. We just gotta get something done over the free agency time period.”"

Bring. Him. Back.