Terry McLaurin entered the NFL as a third-round pick in the 2019 NFL draft. McLaurin has started 46 out of a possible 49 games in three NFL seasons, recorded 222 receptions for 3,090 yards and 16 touchdowns — with eight different starting quarterbacks.
Now, McLaurin is finally eligible for a new contract that should make him among the highest-paid wide receivers in the NFL. One wide receiver from the outstanding 2019 class, A.J. Brown, already got paid, but not by the team that drafted him.
McLaurin isn’t on the trade block. He’s far too critical to the Washington Commanders both on the field and off the field. While he is sitting out the voluntary OTAs due to his current contract situation, he did participate in voluntary workouts before the NFL draft.
Brown, a second-round pick in 2019, received a four-year deal worth $100 million with $57 million guaranteed. McLaurin’s numbers through three seasons are better than Brown’s, except for touchdown receptions. The biggest difference between the two is Brown didn’t have a revolving door of quarterbacks in Tennessee.
Brad Spielberger of Pro Football Focus recently looked at several players from the 2019 NFL draft and what new contract extensions could look like for those players.
He discussed McLaurin:
While the Commanders’ decision to trade for quarterback Carson Wentz was met with a lot of criticism, he will undoubtedly be the best quarterback McLaurin has worked with so far in the NFL. And that’s worrisome for opposing teams considering how productive McLaurin has been to start his career.
Since 2019, McLaurin has garnered 139 targets where the pass was deemed inaccurate per PFF charting — the third-most in the NFL over the span — and his 22 explosive receptions of 15-plus yards on such passes ranks second. His 17 contested catches on such passes ranked No. 1 in the NFL.
Despite his surroundings, McLaurin’s 86.6 receiving grade since 2019 ranks 13th among all wide receivers over the span and trails only A.J. Brown from the 2019 draft class. Off the field, McLaurin is heralded as one of the leaders of this Commanders team and is a fan favorite.
Contract projection: Five years, $115 million ($23M per year), $53 million total guaranteed.
Spielberger offered one of the more reasonable takes concerning Wentz. The Commanders wanted improved QB play, and Wentz will give them that, regardless of his mistakes. McLaurin should benefit significantly from Wentz’s arm strength.
That projected contract seems fair for McLaurin at this point. Washington should’ve been aggressive on a McLaurin deal as soon as the 2021 NFL season ended. By waiting, it’s cost them a lot of money.
Spielberger mentioned the Commanders could play hardball with McLaurin due to having Curtis Samuel and Jahan Dotson on the roster. That would be a terrible mistake.
Washington has allowed players to leave before, but McLaurin is one it must keep for a multitude of reasons.