3 toughest CB matchups for Commanders’ Terry McLaurin in 2022
By Jerry Trotta
The Washington Commanders‘ organized team activities and mandatory minicamp were unfortunately overshadowed by Terry McLaurin’s absence.
It seems McLaurin’s decision to skip spring workouts has lit a fire under the Commanders, however, as ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported Monday on “Get Up” that the club was actually hoping to have an agreement in place by minicamp and have “intensified their efforts” over the last week or so.
With that in mind, we’ll operate under the assumption that McLaurin will be with Washington for 2022 and beyond. Nothing is set in stone, obviously, but Fowler’s report has given us the green light to look ahead to the upcoming season.
With an improved QB in Carson Wentz, it’s fair to assume McLaurin will log his most production to date as a pro. Like any star receiver, though, the 26-year-old will have to prove himself against some of the NFL’s top cornerbacks.
While the Commanders’ 2022 schedule is light, it does feature a number of tough cornerback matchups for McLaurin. Let’s highlight the toughest of the bunch with a focus on out-of-division affairs.
3 toughest CB matchups for Commanders WR Terry McLaurin
3. Stephon Gilmore (Colts)
One of the most underrated pickups of the offseason, Gilmore still belongs in the shutdown cornerback conversation. That says a lot for a player who’s entering his age-32 season and has played just 19 games over the last two years.
Gilmore’s arrival should transform the Colts’ middle-of-the-road secondary. Despite never looking like a real fit with the Panthers in 2021 (he got traded from New England before the season), the two-time All-Pro allowed two or fewer catches in six of his eight games and tallied two interceptions.
Gilmore endured a fall from grace in 2020 with the Patriots, but that can be attributed to injuries and his age starting to show in one of the most man-dependent defenses in the league. Gus Bradley’s zone-oriented scheme should help bring out the best in Gilmore, who flourished in that role with the Panthers.
At the end of the day, we don’t have to sell the idea that Gilmore is elite. He won the Defensive Player of the Year award in 2020 and has been one of the game’s premium corners for several years running. He might be on the decline, but he can definitely give McLaurin fits when the Commanders visit Indianapolis in Week 8.