Where do the Commanders stand at wide receiver?
· Yahoo Sports
If the Washington Commanders select running back Jeremiyah Love in the 2026 NFL Draft, then aren't they neglecting their receiver need?
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It is true that the Commanders really do need an impact receiver. They have veteran Terry McLaurin, but McLaurin being scheduled to count $34M against the Commanders' 2027 salary cap, suggests strongly that this upcoming season might be McLaurin's last as a Commander.
On Thursday, ESPN's John Keim joined Grant & Danny on 106.7 The Fan in Washington, D.C. Keim said Love is an explosive back and that if they do draft Love, "Love can impact the run game, he impacts the pass game (too)."
It might have caught some listeners off guard, but Keim was saying that sometimes, a tremendous help to your team's pass game is the run game. There have been runners in Washington Redskins/Commanders history who were such a threat that they forced defenses to adjust to them, helping the passing game. Such memories include Larry Brown, John Riggins, George Rogers, Earnest Byner, Terry Allen, Stephen Davis, Clinton Portis and Alfred Morris. Love appears more explosive than any of those just mentioned.
Keim then added a surprise stating, "The last part to that equation is if you really want to get a receiver in the draft there are guys in the third round. It's a good draft for receivers." Which actually brings us to the current group of receivers on the Commanders roster. How good are they?
- Terry McLaurin is not a top-tier NFL No. 1 receiver. But he certainly has been a reliable and productive No. 1 for Washington. But the more pressing matter might actually be that 2026 could be his last in Washington.
- Treylon Burks, drafted 18th overall by the Titans in 2022, has not produced as an NFL No. 1 receiver. This is why the Commanders were able to pick him up for free after the Titans released him in 2025. Can Burks be a reliable No. 2 receiver? Keim commented, "I don't know about a WR2, but a guy who can do a lot more, yes."
- Jaylin Lane and Luke McCaffrey are young receivers. Both have shown return abilities. Lane had two punt return touchdowns, and McCaffrey was second in kickoff returns when he suffered a season-ending injury. If those two could show growth this season, it would benefit QB Jayden Daniels greatly. But again, "if...."
- Ja'Corey Brooks, Jacoby Jones, and Nick Nash are all young, and all three are listed at 6'3". So they are definitely hoping to add some size to the receiver room. Can one of them develop into an active roster player in 2026?
- Van Jefferson and Dyami Brown are two veterans who have been in the league for several years. Both came very inexpensively, suggesting there wasn't much demand for either. However, that is not to say that either, or both, may prove valuable enough to leave on the roster. They do provide veteran depth that is better than the 2025 group depth. Brown was productive during his final games for the Commanders in 2024.
The Commanders have added depth to ensure there isn't a repeat of last season. However, Washington is still in need of another starter opposite McLaurin. Will it come via the NFL draft, or do the Commanders believe it will be Brandon Aiyuk?
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders: Previewing the WR group