The Washington Commanders had a reasonably quiet offseason outside the trade for quarterback Carson Wentz. The Commanders signed a pair of veteran guards and free agency and did little else.
Washington and head coach Ron Rivera are counting on Wentz to lift the entire offense while the defense improves and plays to the level of the 2020 version.
Washington’s offense has the potential to be exciting. There are wide receivers Terry McLaurin and Jahan Dotson and running backs Antonio Gibson, J.D. McKissic, and Brian Robinson Jr. However, another wide receiver has the opportunity to significantly impact Washington’s 2022 season.
That wide receiver is Curtis Samuel.
Gary Davenport of Bleacher Report recently named one X-factor for every NFL team in 2022, and for Washington, he chose Samuel:
Some might point to new quarterback Carson Wentz as the Washington Commanders’ biggest X-factor in 2022. If they get the Wentz who flopped against the lowly Jaguars in Week 18 last season, the Commanders are going to be in trouble.
But to a large extent, Wentz’s success will depend on the passing-game weaponry around him. And while Washington has a bona fide star wideout in Terry McLaurin and a promising youngster in 2022 No. 16 overall pick Jahan Dotson, the slot is a massive question mark.
When healthy, Curtis Samuel can be a movable chess piece who’s capable of lining up all over the formation. However, he missed 12 games last season and caught only six passes for 27 yards.
Offensive coordinator Scott Turner is confident that a healthy Samuel can make a much bigger impact in the nation’s capital in 2022, telling reporters:
“Curtis can play everywhere. We did some of that last year in the limited time that he was on the field. I’m just happy for Curtis that he’s healthy. He’s back to his normal self, running around. Curtis is one of the smartest players I’ve been around. So he’s got no real limitations as far as the different things you can do with him. I know he’s excited to be out here, and I’m excited to see him out here.”
We’ll see how long that confidence holds.
If Samuel is healthy and resembles the player he was before the 2021 season, the Commanders could have one of the NFL’s top groups of wide receivers next season.
Samuel can line up in the backfield, split out wide, or play in the slot. That versatility is one of the reasons Washington targeted Samuel in free agency last March.
Is Samuel Washington’s X-factor for 2022? He’s certainly one of them, as he presents a difficult matchup for opposing defenses. But he must remain healthy. And after last season, that’s still a major if.