Who is Washington's key player on a rookie contract?
There is nothing more valuable in the NFL in 2021 than the rookie contract. Since the NFL and NFLPA agreed to a new pay scale for rookies back in 2011, the importance of rookie contracts is critical for franchises as the cost of quarterbacks continues to rise. For the Washington Football Team, there is no franchise quarterback to pay right now. Veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick signed a one-year, $10 million deal in March for Washington, leaving the team plenty of room to spend on other positions. However, while Washington doesnt have a true franchise quarterback on its current roster, plenty of talented young players are on rookie contracts. In particular, the WFTs outstanding defensive line, which features four first-round picks all playing on rookie contracts. Jonathan Allen is in his fifth-year option in 2021. Defensive end Chase Young is coming off a rookie season in which he made an immediate impact and was named NFL defensive rookie of the year. No. According to Patrik Walker of CBS Sports, Washingtons most valuable rookie contract belongs to third-year wide receiver Terry McLaurin. A third-round pick out of Ohio State in 2019, McLaurin has established himself as a No. 1 wide receiver after just two seasons, with 145 receptions for 2,037 yards and 11 touchdowns. Those numbers are even more special considering Washingtons musical chairs at quarterback in the previous two seasons. Heres Walkers assessment:  Ryan Fitzpatrick believes hes the starter, and he might be, but Ron Rivera wants an open QB competition with Taylor Heinicke before any decision is made. Meanwhile, McLaurin patiently waits to see wholl throw him the ball in 2021, after going through a carousel of quarterbacks in 2020  namely Dwayne Haskins, Alex Smith and Heinicke. McLaurin has proven hes talented enough to weather the storm at QB though, reeling in 919 receiving yards and seven touchdowns in 2019 and leveling up to 1,118 yards in Year 2. As other weapons work to emerge for whichever QB gets the nod, McLaurin is already the nuclear weapon. The 25-year-old is a definitive WR1 in the league, and Washingtons passing attack will need to go through him if its to be a threat. McLaurin has the speed to separate on deep routes, the quickness to make a defenders ankles sore on underneath routes and hands as sticky as any youll find. Hes already a superstar in the NFC East, even if the rest of the NFL isnt hip to his value just yet. If Washington wants to repeat as division champs, and they do, theyll make sure McLaurin gets his targets  regardless of who the QB is. The Football Team has received No. 1 wide receiver production out of McLaurin for the past two seasons while he plays on a contract that will pay him $850K in base salary in 2021. Fortunately for McLaurin, he is eligible to sign an extension once he completes the 2021 season. Washington would be wise to get that deal done sooner rather than later.