Hogs Haven
There has been a lot of talk this offseason about surrounding Jayden Daniels with more offensive weapons. Terry McLaurin had an All-Pro season in 2024, catching 82 passes for 1,096 yards and a career best 13 touchdowns, but the hunt to find a complement to him on the outside left more questions than it did answers.
Noah Brown looked to be that guy for a period of time before injury ended his season. Dyami Brown had some moments, especially during the Commanders three-game playoff run, but inconsistencies have plagued him throughout his four-year career, and he is set to become a free agent in March.
Offseason chatter has centered around pending free agents like Tee Higgins and Chris Godwin, and trade targets like Cooper Kupp, Garrett Wilson and George Pickens. The NFL draft has some intriguing guys like Emeka Egbuka, Tre Harris and Savion Williams.
However, is second-year receiver Luke McCaffrey being overlooked?
When Adam Peters used the 100th overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft to select the former Nebraska and Rice athlete/wide receiver, the Commanders fanbase began plugging him into multiple scenarios where he could learn and grow alongside rookie Jayden Daniels and become the missing piece at wide receiver to help complement superstar Terry McLaurin.
After starting out his collegiate career as a quarterback, Luke made the successful transition to wide receiver during his fourth year removed from high school and second with the Rice Owls after transferring from Nebraska. During his final two seasons at Rice, in 24 games played, McCaffrey caught 129 passes for 1715 yards and 19 touchdowns. He also added 265 rushing yards and a touchdown.
Scouts began to take notice of the 6’2” 198 pounder’s unique skill set during his final season at Rice, and by the time the combine was over, he was squarely planted on the NFL’s radar.
McCaffrey opened some eyes during training camp with his savvy route running and sure hands. Many projected him to supplant Dyami Brown as Washington’s number two, but once the regular season started, McCaffrey found himself on the outside looking in.
On the season in 17 games with four starts, he was targeted just 24 times posting 18 receptions for an underwhelming 168 yards (a 9.3 yards per reception average) and didn’t find the endzone.
He did make an impact as a kickoff returner, where he returned 10 kickoffs for 299 yards with a long of 47.
Make no doubt about it, McCaffrey has the skillset to make an impact in the league. With 4.4 speed, a 36” vertical and a remarkably quick 4.02 short shuttle, the son of Ed and brother of Christian is no slouch!
So, while fans (including myself) may want Washington to make a free agent splash or big trade at wide receiver, could the player we all desire be on the roster already just waiting for his time to shine?
