Many people believed that Washington Football Team wide receivers Curtis Samuel and Terry McLaurin could be a “dynamic duo” this season. However, a groin injury forced Samuel to start the season on injured reserve. In Samuel’s absence, McLaurin has continued to build on his 2020 success. Samuel participated in practice this week but the questions about his availability for Sunday’s game still remained. But on Friday, Washington announced that Samuel has been added to the active roster. According to head coach Ron Rivera, Samuel will be “ready to roll.” Samuel will make his season debut in Washington’s Week 4 match-up against the Atlanta Falcons. This will be the first look fans will get of the dynamic duo in action. If McLaurin and Samuel play to their capabilities, they will b a problem for opposing defenses.
Washington Football Team Receivers Terry McLaurin and Curtis Samuel Can Be Impressive
History
McLaurin and Samuel were teammates at Ohio State. Samuel is among Ohio State’s career leaders in receptions. McLaurin is among the Buckeyes career leaders in touchdown receptions. Samuel was a second-round pick of the Carolina Panthers in 2017. The head coach of the Panthers at the time was Ron Rivera. McLaurin was a third-round pick by Washington in 2019. In 2020, Rivera was named the Washington head coach after Jay Gruden was fired. In 2021, Samuel signed a three-year $34.5 million deal with Washington. This signing reunited Samuel with his former coach, Rivera, and college teammate, McLaurin. The Samuel signing paved the way for the duo to stake their claim as one of the best wide receiver duos in the league.
The Best Is Yet To Come
“Good backup who could become a starter” was what was said predraft about both McLaurin and Samuel. But both are both coming off of productive 2020 campaigns. In terms of size and speed, McLaurin and Samuel are comparable. McLaurin ran a 4.35 40-yard dash and Samuel ran a 4.31. McLaurin is 6’0″ and 210 pounds and Samuel is 5’11” and 195 pounds. McLaurin finished with 87 receptions for 1,118 yards and four receiving touchdowns. Samuel only had five starts for Carolina in 2020 but still finished the season with 77 receptions for 851 yards and three touchdowns. Both receivers have the skill and ability to hit the 1,000-yard receiving mark. The last time a Washington receiver duo both had 1,000 receiving yards was in 2016.
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McLaurin spent his first two seasons in Washington without a reliable number two receiver. The lack of a second option at receiver allowed defenses to focus on McLaurin. That put pressure on the other skill players to make plays. The addition of Samuel now helps take pressure off of McLaurin and presents a match-up nightmare for defenses. Samuel can line up out wide, in the slot, or in motion. His 4.35 speed can be dangerous for defenders in space and he is a downfield threat. Samuel’s ability to effectively run the jet sweep can support the running game and help the offense control the time of possession.
In addition to Curtis Samuel and Terry McLaurin, consistent play from other Washington Football Team receivers Adam Humphries, rookie wide receiver Dyami Brown, and also tight end Logan Thomas will be needed to make life easier for Washington quarterback Taylor Heinicke and the passing game. In Week 4 and beyond, Washington fans will be watching in anticipation to see how the “dynamic duo” of McLaurin and Samuel perform.
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