Terry McLaurin gains 125+ receiving yards and 1 TD
Terry McLaurin's summer-long contract war with the Washington Commanders eventually ended peacefully. Both sides got what they wanted, and the timing couldn't have been any better from a fan perspective.
As expected, McLaurin's ankle injury magically healed after signing his extension. The wide receiver stated he's in great shape and ready for his typical workload. Having scheme and quarterback familiarity will help, but there's no telling for sure until the two-time Pro Bowler takes the field.
Some are expecting McLaurin to have a difficult afternoon against Paulson Adebo and Deonte Banks. This has the makings of a superb cornerback pairing if both stay healthy, and the wideout missing so much time over the offseason raises concerns despite his previous production.
McLaurin was professional enough to stay in shape as the business side of things got worked out. It's been all systems go for the pass-catcher at practice this week, so it wouldn't be surprising to see the second-team All-Pro pick up where he left off last season.
Nobody is doubting McLaurin's importance in 2025 and beyond. It might take a while to shake off the ring rust, considering the last time he had live-fire reps was the NFC Championship game. But if he shakes this off quickly, another big day could be in the offing.
Javon Kinlaw gains 2 sacks
There weren't many analysts who thought Javon Kinlaw was worth the money Washington paid him in free agency. The defensive lineman wasn't brought back by the New York Jets after an indifferent campaign. Most thought he'd get a one-year, prove-it deal somewhere, but general manager Adam Peters had something else in mind.
The Commanders gave Kinlaw a three-year, $45 million deal with $30 million guaranteed. This was a jaw-dropping sum, but Peters is confident some untapped potential remains within the player that head coach Dan Quinn and his staff can unlock.
Kinlaw heard all the criticism. The South Carolina product wants to repay the faith shown in him by Peters. He's caught the eye over the summer through his unique blend of size, length, and raw power. Putting this together more consistently in a competitive setting is the next step, but optimism is growing.
Week 1 represents a good chance for Kinlaw to hit the ground running. The Giants' interior offensive line wouldn't be classed as stellar by any stretch of the imagination. Jon Runyan and Gren Van Roten are way past the peak of their powers. Someone with his physical attributes should overwhelm the guard pairing and starting center John Michael Schmitz Jr. whenever he sees fit.