Before the 2022 NFL draft, most mock drafts projected a former Ohio State wide receiver to the Washington Commanders to help another former Buckeye, Terry McLaurin. Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson were each mocked to Washington in various mock drafts.
When the Commanders were on the clock in the 2022 NFL draft, they moved back and selected Penn State wide receiver Jahan Dotson. Washington had a chance to choose Olave or Jameson Williams — another former Buckeye before transferring to Alabama — but instead decided to add two mid-round picks by moving down five positions in the draft.
Dotson is on board to help McLaurin in 2022, but Washington’s No. 1 wideout may get the help he needs in yet another former Buckeye. That former Buckeye is Curtis Samuel.
Samuel signed with the Commanders in free agency one year ago but battled a groin injury all season and played in just five games and recorded six receptions for 27 yards.
Washington fans have sadly become accustomed to high-priced free agents coming to the Commanders and never making an impact. Samuel intends on breaking that curse.
“My main thing is to be available for my teammates — whatever I have to do to take care of my body and to make sure I’m out there,” Samuel told Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post. “It’s kind of exciting to finally feel like myself again.”
Washington fans likely aren’t convinced. They probably shouldn’t be. How many times in the past have we heard a player is healthy and ready to dominate the following season? The answer is far too many.
But Samuel is different. There was no significant injury history before Washington, and muscle issues can be tricky. This coaching staff knows Samuel well and will do everything to help him succeed.
Samuel explained he is fully healthy with no limitations and expects to return strong in 2022.
“I’ve been training and working out, and I haven’t been limited to anything,” Samuel said. “I’ve been doing pretty much everything that I used to be able to do — running fast, cutting fast. I’m just feeling good overall, and I’m excited about it. This upcoming season, I got a lot of goals.”
If Samuel returns fully healthy, that’s another positive for Washington’s offense and new quarterback Carson Wentz. McLaurin, Samuel and Dotson could give the Commanders a dynamic trio at wide receiver to pair with pass-catching back J.D. McKissic and running backs Antonio Gibson and Brian Robinson Jr.
If things go as planned — and they rarely do — there is reason for optimism for Washington’s offense in 2022.