Since we are in the NFL offseason and training camp is almost underway, I thought it would be interesting to take a look at athletes who are flying under the radar and exceeding expectations this offseason. Some of the players are bound to have a breakout season, but the average fan may not know their name quite yet.

This segment will feature Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin, who will be entering his sixth NFL season. Since coming into the league in 2019, McLaurin has posted four 1,000 plus yard seasons and his rookie year he was only 81 yards off from achieving this feat for his entire stay in the NFL.

McLaurin was drafted in the third-round of the 2019 NFL Draft from The Ohio State University. Throughout his career, he has yet to play with a true franchise quarterback. The revolving door at the most important position on offense has not slowed McLaurin’s production down but has kept him a steady contributor and an athlete who is beyond consistent.

There recently was a piece by Bleacher Report’s Alex Ballentine, who ranked the most underrated wide receivers in the NFL ahead of the 2024 season.

Within the article, Ballentine listed McLaurin as the number two most underrated receiver. He mentioned how things are going to change this upcoming season due to the team’s selection of franchise quarterback Jayden Daniels with the second overall pick. He also discusses the quarterback carousel and how he will finally have consistency, just like he has displayed during his career.

Terry McLaurin is one of a handful of receivers who have eclipsed 1,000 receiving yards in each of the last four seasons. The others didn’t have to deal with the sheer amount of quarterback turnover that Scary Terry has seen in Washington.  A rundown of the quarterbacks who started games for the Commanders over the last four seasons doesn’t strike fear in the hearts of defensive coordinators. A 36-year-old Alex Smith, Kyle Allen, Taylor Heinicke and Sam Howell highlight the list.  Regardless of who has thrown him the ball, he’s been a reliable target who could make plays downfield. He was eighth in the league in deep targets and 13th in air yards. McLaurin has only earned one Pro Bowl appearance. His 2022 season earned him the nod from voters, but that campaign wasn’t really much better than any of his other seasons. The good news for the 28-year-old is that his days of going from quarterback to quarterback might be coming to an end. With the Commanders drafting Jayden Daniels with the second overall pick, they have a promising blue-chip prospect to build around. McLaurin is going to make life easier for him as a legitimate No. 1 receiver who is too often forgotten.

CAREER NUMBERS AND MY PREDICTION FOR 2024: 

2019: 58 Receptions | 919 Yards | 15.8 Average | 7 TDs

2020: 87 Receptions | 1,118 Yards | 12.9 Average | 4 TDs

2021: 77 Receptions | 1,053 Yards | 13.7 Average | 5 TDs

2022: 77 Receptions | 1,191 Yards | 15.5 Average | 5 TDs

2023: 79 Receptions | 1,002 Yards | 12.7 Average | 4 TDs

My Prediction: 

2024: 84 Receptions for 1,224 Yards, 15.4 Average, 9 Touchdowns.

There is a lot of buzz surround the Commanders and their football team as we head into this season. A new owner, head coach and staff, and a franchise quarterback who looks to rewrite the history books, all looks and sounds extremely promising.

McLaurin has been with the organization since 2019 and has been surrounded with a lot of negative energy. It is finally time to see how he performs with a new quarterback, one that is far better than any in recent memory.

I have a feeling that the media outlets and football fans will see just how solid and underrated McLaurin is.

In the comment section below, feel free to give your prediction and the reason behind it. Do you think that Daniels’ arrival will finally get the media outlets to recognize and appreciate McLaurin and his work? Why or why not.