Every wide receiver picked ahead of Terry McLaurin in the 2019 NFL Draft

There haven't been many draft successes further down the pecking order for the Washington Commanders in recent seasons. Unearthing diamonds in the rough proved challenging during Ron Rivera's tenure. Hopefully, this can change under the expert guidance of Adam Peters, who's made an outstanding start to life as general manager as the franchise looks to emerge from obscurity in the not-too-distant future.

Washington's decision to spend a third-round selection on Terry McLaurin is arguably one of the biggest draft steals in franchise history. The wide receiver quickly emerged as an integral part of the team's plans. He's one of the undisputed locker room leaders and among the league's most underrated wideouts for good measure.

McLaurin is the embodiment of doing more with less. The former Ohio State star has gone over 1,000 receiving yards over four consecutive seasons. This is a remarkable accomplishment when one considers the lack of consistent quarterback play to depend upon.

The Commanders are hoping this will change thanks to the presence of Jayden Daniels. He comes into the organization with a big reputation following his Heisman Trophy-winning campaign at LSU in 2023. The pair are already pushing each other to greatness, which can hopefully blossom into a prolific partnership when competitive action arrives.

How many wide receivers were taken before Terry McLaurin in the 2019 NFL Draft?

If McLaurin takes another leap, the regret from those who turned down the chance to draft the pass-catcher in 2019 will only increase. No fewer than 11 receivers were taken ahead of him. Some have gone on to achieve success. Others failed to meet lofty targets.

Here's the list - together with receiving yards and touchdowns gained compared to McLaurin.

It's a mixed bag. Taking into account the dominance of A.J. Brown and D.K. Metcalf - coupled with Deebo Samuel's dual-threat ability - a strong case for McLaurin being the fourth-best wideout from this class can be made. Fans could even aim higher looking at his supreme consistency while all around him seemingly crumbled.

The aforementioned trio were placed in much better situations. That's what makes McLaurin's rise to prominence so impressive. It's also earned him a huge payday along the way. Something that looks like a real bargain now based on what the top-end receivers are getting on their current extensions.

McLaurin was rewarded for his exceptional efforts with a three-year, $68.36 million deal with a $28 million signing bonus and $53.15 million guaranteed. This expires after the 2025 campaign, so a strong season under new head coach Dan Quinn and offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury could see the Commanders give him another new contract more in keeping with current pay grades around the league.

Washington is counting on McLaurin to remain a productive feature in the passing game. His route-running and ability to make tough catches look routine should be a major asset for Daniels during his rookie rollercoaster. However, the player's influence away from the gridiron will be equally as important.

There's been a lot of change across the franchise this offseason. McLaurin is a constant and hugely respected by his peers. He'll be tasked with keeping everyone focused, motivated, and in line with increased standards. Others will also assist, but their opinion might not hold as much weight when push comes to shove.

Being overlooked before Washington ended his draft slide enabled McLaurin to play with a chip on his shoulder. He's already silenced his doubters. Thanks to Daniels, the best might be ahead.