ASHBURN, Va. — Terry McLaurin quickly learned the importance of peripheral vision when Jayden Daniels fired passes his way.
“I think after the second or third crosser he threw, I started telling the other receivers, ‘You got to get your head (turned) around,'” the Washington Commanders’ top wideout said about the rookie quarterback.
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Daniels offers plenty of arm strength, but McLaurin’s warning wasn’t only about power. Every quarterback has a different expectation when looking into the specific passing windows. Some will wait until the receiver is clearly open. The No. 2 selection in April’s NFL Draft “has a really good anticipation over the middle of the field. He can make those throws and give you a chance to run.”
Gaining yards after the catch would be a welcome change for the offense. According to TruMedia, Washington averaged 5.1 yards after the catch per reception last season, tied for 20th overall. The required footwork for such production was the primary focus of McLaurin’s offseason training, emphasizing getting in and out of routes quicker and with greater efficiency.
Terry McLaurin said he’s focused on his footwork this offseason to help become more efficient getting in and out of breaks. The man wants more YAC. pic.twitter.com/UComVn10U8
— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) June 11, 2024
Seeking more YAC isn’t solely about using his legs after securing a catch; it also involves trying to size up a defensive back when he gets downfield or using a stiff-arm to create a space advantage.
McLaurin, Washington’s leading receiver in each of his five seasons, said he’s seen the hard work show in practice film.
“Running after the catch in my game, I feel, is OK. … I can take another step. … It’s a balance for me because I always want to protect the football. That’s my No. 1 objective when I’m carrying the ball. At the same time, if you can make one or two (defenders) miss, you get three and four extra yards. Those add up over the course of a game,” he said. “Elite receivers do that at a high level.”
Adaptability is an ingrained trait McLaurin, who turns 29 in September, has honed over the years by default. He’s navigated many changes since his arrival as a 2019 third-round selection. Daniels, the likely Week 1 starter, would be McLaurin’s 10th different starting quarterback to go with three head coaches and four offensive coordinators, each with their unique systems. Don’t forget two owners and three team names.
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Tuesday’s practice kicked off Washington’s three-day mandatory minicamp, the team’s final group work before training camp in late July. Daniels’ presence has been among numerous changes since last season’s 4-13 record. Daniels represents the hope needed for a franchise whose previous playoff win came in the 2005 season. The massive turnover with the roster, coaching staff and front office is a reminder of yet another organizational refresh.
Despite McLaurin and the only three longer-tenured Washington players since the 2019 draft — punter Tress Way and defensive tackles Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne— winning remains elusive. Washington is 29-53-1 over McLaurin’s five seasons, with one playoff appearance.
Frustration with such circumstances is human nature, and McLaurin acknowledged he’s not immune to wondering when a sustained turnaround occurs. He tries to “make a conscious choice to have a (fresh) mentality each and every year. I think it’s easy because we’ve had so many changes.”
While he spent the initial part of his offseason playing golf “to keep my competitive juices” and helping plan his upcoming wedding, the football break didn’t last long. “I’ve been hungry this offseason,” McLaurin said.
Joining new and familiar faces at the team facility sparked his initial workouts. Having “emphasized the competition aspect of football,” the coaching staff provided juice for the OTA periods.
“I’m going to grind every offseason, but this one feels like the start of something new, special,” McLaurin said. “The foundation of it is extremely important. To be part of that, have a hand in that, it’s an honor.”
Playing in Kliff Kingsbury’s up-tempo offense should provide a spark.
“(Kliff) likes to push the ball down the field,” McLaurin said. “He likes to be balanced (in play calling) to give different looks to a defense. … We’re going to use motion, move some guys around.” McLaurin, historically the “X” receiver, said he’s also preparing for the “Z” and slot roles because Kingsbury’s formations may cause him to land in those spots.
“That makes everybody a smarter player,” the erudite McLaurin said.
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Daniels’ explosive playmaking, which led to him being named the latest Heisman Trophy winner, is a dynamic Washington has lacked throughout McLaurin’s tenure. Coach Dan Quinn has yet to name a starter at quarterback, though Daniels worked as QB1 throughout Tuesday’s practice. Veteran Marcus Mariota offers another path, but that seems unlikely based on potential and how the diligent rookie competes and works.
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Guard Nick Allegretti takes pride in arriving early each practice, typically by 6:30 a.m. The free-agent signee coming off a Super Bowl title with the Kansas City Chiefs said he’s yet to beat Daniels to the facility.
Daniels’ deep shot to a diving Dyami Brown down the right side was the “wow” moment in Tuesday’s sunny but cool practice.
“His touch on the deep ball is amazing,” McLaurin gushed. The two have worked on their timing after practices, with the receiver tracking the ball over his shoulder and the quarterback becoming comfortable “dropping the ball in the bucket” to his top target.
Other passes hit the ground in the minicamp opener. Quinn cited Daniels’ need for growth in getting out of a bad play call as blitzers with bad intentions are coming his way. Miscues happen, but McLaurin is part of the chorus praising the “humble but confident” quarterback’s approach.
“He’s really accountable. We had a play today where he felt like he missed me. It was not a big deal at all. (We) can talk through those things. … That open form of communication from a rookie is very rare. It speaks to the confidence. He knows who he is but is also not afraid to say when he’s wrong.”
Terry McLaurin on Jayden Daniels: “He’s humble, but confident… he’s not putting the cart before the horse.” pic.twitter.com/SzZaTpQ4Ax
— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) June 11, 2024
Amid a sea of teammates coming and going, including those in the wide receiver room, one thing remains constant: McLaurin’s mature presence on and off the field. He’s guiding young receivers, including third-round rookie Luke McCaffrey, through the offseason grind as a vocal leader without pretending he has all the answers. “I can take a coaching point from Luke McCaffrey (and others),” McLaurin said.
Allegretti said he was gobsmacked when an initial conversation with McLaurin highlighted the receiver’s desire to block. Quinn has quickly grasped the goods provided by the 2022 Pro Bowler and annual team captain.
“This is a hell of a ballplayer,” Quinn said. “But behind the scenes, what he stands for, the professionalism that he has, the detail that he goes to to get things done. A team could be really well set to get a lot of Terry McLaurins, and he’s been an excellent pro for us. … He’s got great standards about him, and I think that’s one of the best things you look for in a professional.”
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Minicamp headlines
• Washington held a tryout with various kickers on Tuesday, including Lucas Havrisik, who will stay this week to compete with recently signed Ramiz Ahmed. According to a team source familiar with the situation, UFL standout Jake Bates, a popular target for teams, will visit on Wednesday as the Commanders search for a replacement following the release of Brandon McManus. “We will keep digging in over the next few days and certainly as we are preparing into camp,” Quinn said.
• Second-round defensive tackle Johnny Newton, unavailable while recovering from a Jones fracture procedure, remains uncertain for training camp, Quinn said. “He is hitting all the markers that he is supposed to hit. He is able to do light working out. We will keep progressing all the way up until training camp. No decision has been made in terms of the start of camp or not.”
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• Bob Myers, the former NBA general manager-turned-adviser for Commanders managing partner Josh Harris, attended Tuesday’s practice.
• Offensive tackles Cornelius Lucas and Andrew Wylie primarily worked with the first unit, though third-round rookie Brandon Coleman and Trent Scott took reps.
• Linebacker Jamin Davis, one of many players involved in positional experimentation, frequently lined up at edge rusher.
• Over 10 players worked as kick returners, including running backs Austin Ekeler and Brian Robinson Jr. and second-round cornerback Mike Sainristil. Wide receiver Jahan Dotson and cornerback Emmanuel Forbes Jr. served as punt returners on another field.
(Photo: Geoff Burke / USA Today)
