After losing Curtis Samuel in free agency to the Buffalo Bills, the Washington Commanders have failed to locate a successor. Terry McLaurin is the lone receiver on the squad who has accumulated more than 600 yards in 2023. Adding another weapon to go with McLaurin and the likely quarterback at No. 2 might benefit whoever is drafted in their rookie season.
According to Matt Holder of Bleacher Report, each team can benefit from one free agent remaining on the market, with Tyler Boyd being the Commanders’ best option.
“The Commanders have been quite busy this offseason, signing multiple free agents, the majority of whom were hired to help develop a supporting cast for a rookie quarterback.
“While the front office agreed to a one-year, $1.125 million agreement with slot receiver Olamide Zaccheaus, such a tiny contract should not prohibit them from pursuing a superior player in Boyd. The former Bengal has over 600 receiving yards in seven of his eight professional seasons and would be a dependable target for a young quarterback.
Boyd joined the Cincinnati Bengals in 2023 and has spent his whole eight-year career with the organisation.
How Boyd Would Help the Commanders
Signing Boyd would give the Washington Commanders a wide receiver who has two seasons with over 1,000 yards. Boyd has also impressed in recent seasons, posting six straight seasons with at least 667 yards.
Boyd has seen his numbers go down in recent seasons, posting the fewest receiving yards of the past six seasons in 2023. However, Joe Burrow, the Cincinnati Bengals’ starting quarterback, was injured and played in just 10 games.
When Burrow is healthy, Boyd is a steady 750-plus-yard receiver who has also had seasons with 12-plus yards per catch.
On February 24, Jonathan Eig of Riggo’s Rag suggested that the Commanders sign Boyd, who would provide a seasoned presence in the locker room.
“The wideout would add a smart experienced presence to the Washington Commanders’ locker room. He has over 500 receptions in his NFL career and has been very consistent. Over the last six seasons, he has never had fewer than 58 receptions.
He had his best years in 2019 and 2020, just before the Bengals brought in Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase. After the arrival of the more explosive younger players, Boyd’s numbers fell off, but he remained a crucial part of Cincinnati’s passing attack.”
Several Teams Are Interested in Boyd
According to Jeremy Fowler of “NFL on ESPN,” Boyd is still being pursued by several organisations. Fowler adds that Boyd “probably going to wait until after the draft” to find a team that does not cover their needs in the draft.
“I’m told several teams have remained interested over the last month or so,” Fowler went on to say. “But it’s just a situation where he’s probably going to wait until after the draft be that May 2nd option for a team who doesn’t fill their need in the draft over those first few days.”
