The Washington Football Team has a laundry list of talented players up for contract extensions after the 2021 season. You have players like Jonathan Allen, Logan Thomas, Ryan Fitzpatrick and Brandon Scherff, who will all be free agents.
One potential free-agent you do not hear a lot about is running back J.D. McKissic.
McKissic, who signed a modest two-year deal last offseason, was second on Washington’s team in both receptions and rushing yards in 2020. McKissic, who operated as Washington’s third-down back behind Antonio Gibson, rushed for 365 yards and a touchdown while also finishing with 80 receptions for the Football Team.
CBS recently put together a list of underrated NFC players on the verge of a big payday, and McKissic was the choice for Washington.
Raise your hand if you knew he caught 80 passes in 2020. McKissic won’t be a featured back in Washington as long as Antonio Gibson is around, but as a complementary piece/quasi-receiver, you can do a whole lot worse. The ex-Seahawks and Lions reserve might not get as many check-downs from Ryan Fitzpatrick, but someone may pay up for his Tarik Cohen impressions.
It’s nice to see McKissic get some love. He was terrific in 2020 and is the ideal third-down back due to his past as a wide receiver. He can do a little bit of everything, even in pass protection, and certainly helped Washington’s quarterbacks last season.
Yes, Fitzpatrick will not check down as much as the WFT quarterbacks did in 2020, but we also know offensive coordinator Scott Turner would like to get McKissic more opportunities down the field. While he may not catch 80 passes this season, he will remain an integral part of the Washington offense.
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