The Washington Football Team has experienced its share of ups and downs this season. One of the bright spots has been the emergence of wide receiver DeAndre Carter as a dual threat for Washington. Carter’s performance as a kick returner endeared him to Washington fans early in the season. Carter has made key plays as a pass-catcher in the last two weeks, cementing his role in the Washington offense.
Carter has been somewhat of a journeyman since entering the league in 2018 as an undrafted wide receiver from Sacramento State. Carter played for the Houston Texans in 2018 (seven games), 2019 (16 games), and 2020 (nine games). He played in seven games for Philadelphia Eagles in 2018 and four games with the Chicago Bears in 2020. Last off-season, Carter signed a one-year $970,000 deal with Washington. With Carter’s dual-threat play-making ability, he may have found a permanent home in Washington.
Wide Receiver DeAndre Carter Is a Dual Threat for the Washington Football Team
Carter Is a Threat as a Return Specialist
This season Carter has established himself as one of the best return specialists in the league. In the first three weeks of the season, it was clear that it would only be a matter of time before Carter ran a kick return back for a touchdown. The time would come in Week 4 against the Atlanta Falcons. Carter’s 101-yard kickoff return for a touchdown against the Falcons is the second-longest kick return this season.
Carter leads the league in kick return yards with 638. He ranks second in total kick returns (25) and yards per return (25.5). Through 10 games with Washington, Carter has already eclipsed his previous career-highs in kick return yards (425) and yards per return (24.6). Carter’s dynamic play as a kick returner may also lead to his first Pro Bowl appearance. He currently leads all return specialists in the NFC in Pro Bowl votes.
Carter Is a Threat as a Wide Receiver
While Carter made a name for himself as a return specialist early in the season, he was seldom a part of Washington’s offensive scheme. In Weeks 1 through 4, Carter played in less than 20 percent of Washington’s offensive snaps. Since Week 5, Carter has played in more than 54 percent of Washington’s offensive snaps in five out of six games.
At wide receiver, Carter is averaging 15.6 yards per reception which leads the team. Carter is also fifth in receiving yards with 219. Carter has become a touchdown target for Washington quarterback Taylor Heinicke in the last three weeks. Carter’s three receiving touchdowns rank second on the team, only behind wide receiver Terry McLaurin who has five. With injuries limiting Curtis Samuel and Dyami Brown this season, Carter’s increased role as a wide receiver has been beneficial for Heinicke and the Washington offense.
A Similar Threat
Carter’s versatility as a dual-threat brings to mind former Washington wide receiver Santana Moss. Moss, like Carter, could impact the kicking and passing game. Moss spent most of his time on special teams as a punt returner, while Carter is primarily a kick returner. Moss could also make plays in the passing game as a wide receiver. Carter, like Moss, is proving to be a reliable pass-catcher for the Washington offense.
This off-season, DeAndre Carter is scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent. Based on Carter’s play this season, Washington should not hesitate to bring the dual-threat back for the 2022 season.
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