Bleacher Report’s pick for Commanders’ 2022 X-factor is spot on

The Washington Commanders‘ roster doesn’t flaunt a ton of superstars. If you really think about it, only Chase Young and Terry McLaurin (maybe) fall under that description, and Young only qualifies due to his hype coming out of Ohio State.

That doesn’t mean the team lacks talent, however. What the roster lacks in superstar players, it more than makes up for in stars, ascending talents and just solid NFL players who’d start or play a significant role for most teams.

Like most clubs, the Commanders have an X-factor whose success or shortcomings will have a seismic impact on their team’s record. Between Carson Wentz, JD McKissic, Cole Holcomb, William Jackson III and Kamren Curl, among others, Washington seemingly has no shortage of candidates for this title.

But who’s most deserving? We’ll leave that up to Bleacher Report, which recently highlighted every team’s biggest X-factor for 2022. In fitting fashion, writer Gary Davenport nominated Curtis Samuel as the pick for the Commanders.

Bleacher Report thinks Curtis Samuel will be the Commanders’ biggest X-factor next season.

Davenport initially mentioned the caveat that fans might view Wentz as the Commanders’ biggest X-factor.

That’s the obvious pick, though, and Wentz’s success will largely depend on the performance of his surrounding weapons. With Terry McLaurin locked in as one of the best receivers in the NFL and Jahan Dotson poised to play a huge role as a rookie amid his impressive OTAs and minicamp, Samuel got the nod given the uncertainty of production that’s to come from the ever-important slot position.

"When healthy, Curtis Samuel can be a movable chess piece who’s capable of lining up all over the formation. However, he missed 12 games last season and caught only six passes for 27 yards.Offensive coordinator Scott Turner is confident that a healthy Samuel can make a much bigger impact in the nation’s capital in 2022, telling reporters:“Curtis can play everywhere. We did some of that last year in the limited time that he was on the field. I’m just happy for Curtis that he’s healthy. He’s back to his normal self, running around. Curtis is one of the smartest players I’ve been around. So he’s got no real limitations as far as the different things you can do with him. I know he’s excited to be out here, and I’m excited to see him out here.”"

Those are salient points made by both Davenport and Washington’s offensive coordinator.

When healthy, Samuel is one of the most dynamic offensive weapons the NFL has to offer, which speaks volumes considering how many players fill that bill. Yes, 2021 was a disaster of epic proportions, but the 25-year-old is just two years removed from posting 77 catches for 851 yards and three touchdowns as a receiver and 200 yards and two scores on 4.9 yards per carry as a runner.

Samuel might be hard-pressed to break the 1,000-yard scrimmage barrier playing alongside McLaurin, Dotson, Logan Thomas, JD McKissic and Antonio Gibson, but he has the potential to be a real difference-maker if he stays healthy.

That, of course, is the biggest question regarding Samuel, thereby making him a no-brainer selection for Washington’s biggest X-factor in 2022.