3 wide receivers Commanders should avoid in free agency

The Washington Commanders’ offseason will be graded based on how they address the quarterback position, and rightly so. With an above-average or elite gunslinger presiding over the offense, Scott Turner’s group should make massive strides compared to what it looked like this past season.

While the quarterback position will be the ultimate deciding factor as it pertains to the offense’s performance, it’s worth questioning if Washington currently has the weaponry for him to step in and enjoy immediate success.

While Terry McLaurin, Antonio Gibson, Logan Thomas and a formidable offensive line are attractive pieces for any signal caller, is anyone else concerned about Washington’s wide receiver situation behind McLaurin?

Curtis Samuel has WR2 upside, but 2021 was a disaster on the injury front and he has a long way to go to earn fans’ trust back. It wouldn’t be surprising if the Commanders look to add someone else in free agency (preferably a perimeter guy) but they shouldn’t touch these options with a 10-foot pole.

3 receivers Commanders should avoid in free agency

3. Christian Kirk

We actually like Christian Kirk a lot as a player.

Despite fighting for targets with DeAndre Hopkins, AJ Green, Rondale Moore and Zach Ertz, Kirk finished 2021 with career-highs in catches (77), receiving yards (982), catch rate (74.8%) and yards per target (9.5). He also added five touchdowns, 44 first-down conversions and 12.8 yards per reception for good measure.

So what’s not to like? Well, he’s like a carbon-copy profile of Curtis Samuel, whom the Commander signed for $34.5 million last offseason. Much like Samuel with the Panthers, Kirk logged a career-high in slot snaps (79%) and his average depth of target dropped in his fourth season with the Cardinals.

Check out this quote from PFF. “Both are roughly 5-foot-11, 200-pound former second-round picks who play at 4.4 speeds.” Should an offense that needs another big-bodied receiver to take some of the pressure off Terry McLaurin really target another small-framed gadget player who also thrives in the slot?

Probably not.

With all due respect to Kirk, the Commanders need another perimeter threat not another Curtis Samuel-like profile who will likely sign something similar to his three-year, $34.5 million contract with Washington.