3 best pairings on the Commanders’ roster in 2022
By Jerry Trotta
Ron Rivera and Martin Mayhew have worked hard this offseason to ensure the Washington Commanders improve upon their seven-win total from last season. With low-profile free agency splashes, trading for Carson Wentz and drafting readymade players, the team is positioned to push for the playoffs in 2022.
While it’ll take a 53-man effort for the Commanders to return to the postseason, partnerships within key positional groups could determine the team’s ceiling next campaign. With positions like linebacker and cornerback lacking ideal depth, these pairings could really help make up for the team’s weaker links.
With that in mind, let’s highlight the best three duos on Washington’s roster entering 2022. For anyone curious, Kendall Fuller and William Jackson III just missed making the cut. While Fuller is a stud, we need to see more from Jackson after his up-and-down 2021 before we can say he’s deserving of his $40.5 million contract.
3 best pairing on the Commanders’ roster in 2022
3. Terry McLaurin and Jahan Dotson
It might seem audacious to include a rookie here, but Washington doesn’t have another deserving pairing and Dotson was unplayable (in a good way) during organized team activities and mandatory minicamp.
How dominant was the No. 16 overall pick? Well, Commanders wide receivers coach Drew Terrell legitimately couldn’t find a single bad rep while reviewing Dotson’s film from spring practices. While Dotson has yet to appear in a preseason game, let alone a regular season game, the early indications are Washington hit a home run by trading down for him in the first round of this year’s draft.
The hope is Dotson will provide a viable running mate for McLaurin, who’s already regarded as one of the best WRs in the game. Despite the franchise cycling through eight quarterbacks over McLaurin’s first three seasons, the 2019 third-round pick has averaged 73 catches for 1,030 yards and 5.3 touchdowns.
While impressive, those numbers don’t even begin to encapsulate McLaurin’s talent. Per Pro Football Focus, only five receivers since 2006 — Michael Thomas, Odell Beckham Jr. DeAndre Hopkins, Mike Evans and AJ Green — have compiled a higher WAR (Wins Above Replacement) over their first three seasons.
Get excited about McLaurin and Dotson, folks. This duo is going to produce fireworks on Sundays once the fall comes around.