Loser No. 1
Dyami Brown - Commanders WR
Kliff Kingsbury was running screens to Dyami Brown last season. Now, he'll be running them with Deebo Samuel Sr.
That represents a significant upgrade for the Washington Commanders despite Brown's resurgence over the final stages of 2024. The former third-round selection came to the fore at long last when Noah Brown went down with a serious internal injury. This was the last chance saloon for the player, but he responded positively.
Brown benefitted greatly from extended involvement. He turned in some high-quality performances for the stretch and into the postseason. The wide receiver's fumble in the NFC Championship game left a sour taste in the mouth, but it's something to potentially build upon moving forward.
Kingsbury praised Brown for his work ethic and improvement as a route technician. The on-field results spoke for themselves. However, the Commanders' decision to acquire Samuel doesn't bode well for his chances of an extended stay.
The North Carolina product is a free agent this spring. Brown expressed his desire to stay, but he's also excited to explore other options and the potential earnings he could gather. There should be a market for the wide receiver given his athletic potential and opportunities for further development. Washington has an excellent contingency plan if he departs.
Winner No. 2
Terry McLaurin - Commanders WR
Terry McLaurin must feel like he's dreaming. He got a franchise quarterback to depend upon during Adam Peters' first offseason at the helm. He's now got a running mate in the wide receiver room with proven production at the highest level.
McLaurin is the alpha. He's a locker room leader and one of the league's more prolific pass-catchers on the field. The former third-round pick was nothing short of sensational in 2024, going over 1,000 receiving yards and hauling in 13 touchdowns en route to a second-team All-Pro selection. Nobody deserved Washington's incredible early success more.
The Commanders' trade for Deebo Samuel Sr. makes McLaurin's life easier. He'll still be the focal point of opposing coverage schemes, but teams will be wary of the new arrival, too. That wasn't the case with others on the roster in 2024, so it should open up a little more space to do damage.
Samuel and McLaurin have the makings of a dynamic wideout tandem. Their skills complement each other superbly. If both stay clear of injuries throughout the campaign, the Commanders are going to be a force once upgrades are made to the offensive line.
The good news should keep coming for McLaurin this offseason. He's got one more year on his deal, but rumors are swirling about another lucrative extension ahead of time.