Terry McLaurin is again the receiving leader for Washington this season.
Through nine games, McLaurin has started and played in all nine, has received the most targets (70), the most receptions (47), receiving yards (568), most receptions per game (5.2) and receiving yards per game (63.1).
With the Commanders pass protection improving, as well as Sam Howell’s reading of the defenses, McLaurin has increased his production considerably in recent games.
For instance, in the season’s first three games, McLaurin had receiving totals of 31, 54 and 41 yards. In his last six games, the receiving yards have increased to 86, 49, 81, 90, 63 and 73 yards. Consequently, the former Ohio State Buckeye averaged 42 receiving yards in his first three games but now is averaging 73.7 yards over the last six games.
Terry McLaurin has picked up nearly 60 yards on back to back plays.
Sheesh!#HTTC | @TheTerry_25 pic.twitter.com/jsPLBd79Qg
— Chad Ryan (@ChadwikoTWW) November 5, 2023
McLaurin, in his rookie season, was limited to 14 games yet totaled 919 receiving yards. In his three following seasons, McLaurin’s receiving yardage totals were 1,118 (2020), 1,053 (2021), 1,191 (2022).
If McLaurin again exceeds 1,000 receiving yards this season (2023), he would become the first in Washington NFL franchise history to have accumulated 1,000 receiving yards in four consecutive seasons.
Gary Clark produced three consecutive 1,000 yards receiving seasons 1989-1991 and five in total (1986-1987). Art Monk also produced five 1,000-yard receiving seasons, including three consecutively from 1984-86. Santana Moss also generated three 1,000-yard seasons for Washington (2005, 2008, 2010). Many have forgotten, but Henry Ellard had three consecutive 1,000-yard seasons (1994-96).
Charley Taylor, playing in only 14-game regular seasons, collected 1,119 receiving yards in 1966 from Hall-of-Fame quarterback Sonny Jurgensen.
From a historical perspective, it is worth remembering Ellard, Monk, Clark and Moss played in 16-game regular seasons.