No Washington wide receiver put up eye-popping stats in Week 1. The Commanders fell to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 37-20. Washington rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels passed for 184 yards in his NFL debut.
Running backs Austin Ekeler and Brian Robinson Jr. were Washington’s leading receivers from Week 1. The talented running back duo combined for seven receptions for 101 yards.
Where was Terry McLaurin? Well, the Commanders didn’t throw a lot to their receivers. McLaurin finished with four targets, catching two passes for 17 yards. Daniels missed McLaurin on a deep ball that would’ve gone for a touchdown.
It was rookie Luke McCaffrey who led the wide receivers with three receptions. Sure, he only finished with 18 yards, but he caught all three targets, including one tough grab near the goal line. There was also the two-point conversion ruled incomplete that the Commanders should’ve challenged.
While McCaffrey didn’t look like the 2023 version of Puka Nacua in Week 1, advanced stats were impressed with his debut. McCaffrey was in exclusive company as it was related to his separation ability vs. Tampa Bay.
WR Leaders by Separation Score in Week 1
+ @FantasyPtsData1. Adonai Mitchell (0.647)
2. Mike Evans (0.609)
3. George Pickens (0.450)
4. Jameson Williams (0.444)
5. Ja’Lynn Polk (0.389)
6. CeeDee Lamb (0.357)
7. Luke McCaffrey (0.300)
8. Nico Collins (0.250)— Scott Barrett (@ScottBarrettDFB) September 10, 2024
McCaffrey’s debut flew under the radar because he didn’t put up big numbers.
Luke McCaffrey led Commanders WRs in catches + receiving yards today. He converted every target. The other WRs went 4-for-8.
Jayden Daniels had a tough debut. Hes much better in the pocket than he showed. Washington wont be held under 200 pass yards often, as they were today. https://t.co/iQSUwyMZzU pic.twitter.com/bULskoSgWg
— Thor Nystrom (@thorku) September 9, 2024
More proof that McCaffrey is Washington’s No. 2 receiver.
Luke McCaffrey was 2nd among #Commanders WRs with a 71% route rate in the opener.
Encouraging for the rookie.
— Jared Smola (@SmolaDS) September 9, 2024
Don’t get discouraged. Good times are ahead for McCaffrey.