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BY IRA KAUFMAN

The Commanders aren’t blessed with many proven weapons, but they have one who is keeping Todd Bowles up at night.

His name is Terry McLaurin — and he’s the best NFL wide receiver you might never have heard of. The arrival of rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels has energized McLaurin and a Washington offense that has looked awful since McLaurin was selected out of Ohio State in the third round of the 2019 draft.

Many of the Bucs defense know Terry McLaurin well.

The Commanders still have a lot of holes heading into Sunday’s season opener at Raymond James Stadium, but Daniels has a big enough arm to deliver deep strikes to McLaurin, who has reeled off four consecutive 1,000-yard seasons despite Washington’s collection of stiffs under center.

“He’s elite,” Bowles says of McLaurin. “He’s always been elite, for me. Just watching him play, the way he gets off the ball, the way he gets in and out of routes, the way his catch radius is, the way he fights for the ball … he’s an outstanding receiver.”

Cornerbacks Jamel Dean and Zyon McCollum face a big test trying to contain McLaurin. In two previous games against the Bucs, including one postseason matchup, McLaurin caught 12 of the 15 balls sent his way for 134 yards.

Who else scares you on the Commanders?

You think Bowles and his defensive staff are dwelling on tight end Zach Ertz or other targets like Noah Brown, Jamison Crowder or Olamide Zaccheaus?

Of course not.

It’s the Daniels-McLaurin connection that concerns everyone at One Buc Place.

McLaurin feels like he’s been reborn as a pro. The Commanders are 29-53-1 during his five seasons, ranking 25th, 24th, 23rd, 25th and 32nd in scoring in that span. That offensive ineptitude isn’t surprising when you consider the rogue’s gallery under center: Sam Howell, Jacoby Brissett, Carson Wentz, Taylor Heinicke, Garrett Gilbert, Kyle Allen, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Dwayne Haskins, Case Keenum and Colt McCoy.

“A lot of great changes have happened this offseason,” says McLaurin. who will be playing for his fourth head coach in Dan Quinn. “Obviously, their (Tampa Bay) defense poses a lot of challenges.”

Only three teams yielded more passing yards than the Bucs in 2023 and you can bet Daniels will try to exploit a McLaurin-McCollum matchup. Tampa Bay is traditionally a heavy blitzing team under Bowles, relying on defensive backs to limit the damage when the rush doesn’t get there.
In winning the Heisman at LSU, Daniels was a dual threat who bought himself time with his stunning mobility.

“The great thing is he (Daniels) has a great poise about him,” says McLaurin. “I think I’ve had to learn the art of patience and this will be no different.”

McLaurin and Quinn realize Tampa Bay’s run defense was stout last fall. It’s unlikely Brian Robinson Jr. or Austin Ekeler will gash the Bucs consistently on the ground, so Daniels will be looking for McLaurin to make key plays downfield.

Facing Daniels in his pro debut rather than in midseason should be an advantage for the home team, yet the Bucs are narrow favorites to post their fourth consecutive season-opening win. Dean and McCollum have a lot to prove in 2024 — and it doesn’t get any easier in Week 2, when Buc-killer Jared Goff will be waiting in Motown.

Tod Bowles will have one focus above all others, says Ira.

You can bet Tampa Bay’s pass coverage will be tilted heavily in the direction of McLaurin, who has been ranked one of the NFL’s top 100 players in each of the past two years in voting by his peers.

McLaurin does everything well, but his forte is making the difficult catch in traffic. Even when McLaurin is well covered on Sunday, Daniels will trust him to come down with the football. The same mindset holds on the opposing sideline for Baker Mayfield and Mike Evans.

While the Bucs boast the better roster in this matchup, Daniels remains an unknown quantity. In pressure situations, he’ll either be looking to run or he’ll be looking to connect with the elusive No. 17.

If the Commanders hope to keep the chains moving against Tampa Bay’s confusing defense, getting the ball to McLaurin is their path to a road victory.

Dan Quinn knows that. So does Todd Bowles.

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