Ranking Commanders' offensive position groups against NFC East rivals in 2023

Commanders position groups vs. NFC East - WR

1. Washington Commanders

Curtis Samuel should benefit a great deal from having Eric Bieniemy designing plays. Previous offensive coordinator Scott Turner seemed destined to force-feed him on screens and sweeps that never worked.

Bieniemy has juggled receivers in the Samuel mode for years with the Kansas City Chiefs, and seems to always get the best out of them. If he works his magic with the dynamic weapon, this could be the best trio of wideouts in the league.

Terry McLaurin is already one of the best and Jahan Dotson shows signs of being a big-time playmaker. There is even renewed hope that Dyami Brown could live up to his third-round draft status now that he will be reunited with college quarterback Sam Howell.

2. Philadelphia Eagles

If McLaurin isn’t the best receiver in the division, that honor goes to A.J. Brown. They are very different players, but to me, they are just about even. And Devonta Smith should continue to improve just as Washington’s Dotson will.

The Philadelphia Eagles are less certain about what they are getting at the third position. Quez Watkins played there last year, and he may again shift in and out of the slot in 2023. But I suspect free agent pick-up Olamide Zacchaeus will eventually take over.

He is a more classic slot receiver and should give the Eagles a dynamic trio to rival the Commanders.

3. Dallas Cowboys

I know there are plenty of Dallas Cowboys fans who think CeeDee Lamb is better than McLaurin and Brown – combined. That’s standard No. 88-overhype.

Don’t get me wrong, Lamb is good. Maybe very good. But I think he will need to be paired with a better second-receiving option in order to really become the dominant player every Cowboys fan thinks he is. As of now, he doesn’t have that.

Will it be Brandin Cooks this year? Maybe. He is a good deep threat. But this will be his fifth team in 10 years and you have to ask some questions about him.

Maybe Michael Gallup will stay healthy this year and be that second option. Or maybe the freakishly athletic Simi Fehoko will emerge, and … You know what, that’s a lot of ifs in Dallas.

4. New York Giants

On paper, the New York Giants receivers don’t scare anyone. Darius Slayton is too streaky. Sterling Shepard is too old. Wan’Dale Robinson is too injured. Parris Campbell never lived up to his potential on the Indianapolis Colts.

Yet somehow, a guy like Isaiah Hodgins manages to catch a crucial touchdown against the Commanders when it really matters. I still don’t think the Giants have a very good receiving corps, but I’ve learned not to totally discount them.