The 2019 NFL season was one of the worst in the history of the Washington Football Team. Not only was Washington bad on the field, but the roster was barren of talent at multiple positions.
Then-rookie wide receiver Terry McLaurin was a bright spot in that lost season; however, he wasn’t the only rookie wide receiver who impressed.
Steven Sims Jr. was an undrafted rookie out of Kansas and almost an afterthought before training camp. He won over the coaches in training camp and made the 53-man roster.
Sims’ breakthrough moment came in an October loss to New England, when he scored a 65-yard rushing touchdown in what would be the WFT’s only points in the defeat.
Throughout the rest of the season, Sims made plays and also scored on a kickoff return, which earned him NFC special teams player of the week.
Overall that season, Sims finished with 34 receptions for 310 yards and four touchdowns and scored a rushing touchdown and the one on special teams.
Washington went through a coaching change after that season, and Sims would need to prove himself again.
Things didn’t go so well in 2020, and the Football Team made major upgrades at wide receiver in the offseason. ESPN recently named one veteran player on the roster bubble for 2021, and John Keim chose Sims for Washington.
There are a few receivers who could be in this spot, but Sims has been the most productive of the players who are in trouble. Sims had 23 catches in the final five weeks of the 2019 season, creating separation with short-field quickness. He had 34 catches overall and entered 2020 as Washington’s top slot receiver. But injuries and drops hurt him last season — he dropped three balls on 39 targets, including in some key situations. Washington then signed Adam Humphries and drafted Dax Milne to play in the slot. Sims can return punts, but there are concerns about ball security there as well. Sims still looks quick but has an uphill battle in Washington.
While this is no shock to anyone, don’t count out Sims just yet. He will have an opportunity to battle for one of the final roster spots when camp begins later this month. Sims certainly has the talent and he’ll need to prove last season was just a minor setback.
The bad news for Sims, the wide receiver room is suddenly one full of talent after the offseason additions of Curtis Samuel, Adam Humphries and Dyami Brown.
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