The Washington Commanders’ receiving corps presents one of the most intriguing fantasy puzzles heading into the 2025 season. Terry McLaurin finally broke through with a career year alongside rookie sensation Jayden Daniels, but his extended holdout and contract negotiations have created uncertainty about his early-season readiness.
Terry McLaurin Fantasy Outlook
The McLaurin situation is frustrating because we finally got the breakout year from him we’ve been waiting for behind an incredible rookie phenom. After years of poor QB play hindering an excellent player, McLaurin rightfully wanted to be rewarded for his play. He had the leverage and got his extension following the conclusion of camp.
Now there are a few things to wonder about. Will missing all of the offseason prep slow him down to start the season? Does the addition of WR Deebo Samuel help, hurt, or not affect him at all? It’s hard to say. We know that Brandon Aiyuk, in a similar situation, did, in fact, start the year quite poorly, but that doesn’t guarantee that McLaurin will.
JAYDEN DANIELS TO TERRY MCLAURIN
12TH TD ON THE YEAR FOR TERRY (tied franchise record)
TERRY NOW HAS FIVE-STRAIGHT 1,000-YD SEASONS! #ProBowlVote pic.twitter.com/oJwIlV5U35
— brandon (@JayDanielsMVP) December 22, 2024
His underlying metrics weren’t fantastic either — he had career-low targets (excluding his rookie year) and career-average receptions in 2024 — so while his offense and quality of QB improved, his workload did not. Instead, he smashed his own touchdown record (13), up from his previous high of seven.
If his touchdown rate regresses closer to his normal, then he’ll need to set new highs in receptions and yards to improve upon his career year. It’s possible that he can do that, but all of the other questions make me hesitate. I’m not eager to draft McLaurin this year unless I stack him with QB Jayden Daniels.
– Mason LeBeau, Fantasy Football Analyst
Deebo Samuel Sr. Fantasy Outlook
While I also cringe when I see his name in the draft, quietly, Deebo Samuel has become one of my favorite “draft-and-trade” players. Every player should be evaluated differently, so just because their season-long projections are favorable, it doesn’t mean this can’t be a very beneficial player for you.
Samuel has not been a league-winning player outside of his incredible 2021 season, and while that likely won’t change, I’d still recommend drafting him. As things currently sit, Samuel is the only worthwhile weapon on the Commanders’ offense. Terry McLaurin took his holdout pretty close to the season, and I’d project a slow start for him, but once he’s cooking, he won’t overlap with Samuel at all.
Instead, Samuel should see an increased workload early and a more advantageous role later. His usage is incredibly encouraging for early returns. QB Jayden Daniels’ gravity and OC Kliff Kingsbury’s screen game should be potent enough for a few touchdowns. I believe we may see some of that ‘21 Deebo Samuel in the first half of the year, but once his value is at its highest, I’d trade him. Invest early, cash in, and get out.
– Mason LeBeau, Fantasy Football Analyst
