WFT Burning Questions: Which WRs make the final roster? originally appeared on NBC Sports Washington
* With training camp just around the corner, NBC Sports Washington's Ethan Cadeaux takes a look at one burning question for each position group on Washington's roster. Next up: wide receiver.
Which wide receivers will make the team? Which won't?
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One of the most intriguing positional battles to watch for during training camp and the preseason for the Washington Football Team will be at wide receiver. Several new faces have entered the building this offseason and, to be simple, there are more players than roster spots.
Head coach Ron Rivera and offensive coordinator Scott Turner will have some difficult decisions to make, as there are legitimately a dozen or so wideouts competing for, at most, seven roster spots.
So, how will it all shake out? Let's take a look, beginning with the locks and moving on to the bubble players.
Terry McLaurin -- Lock. A rising star and Washington's clear-cut No. 1 option. Moving on.
Curtis Samuel -- Lock as well. Washington's prized offensive free agent acquisition. Versatile offensive weapon who should impact the game in multiple ways.
Dyami Brown -- Lock. 2021 third-round pick from North Carolina who has the ability to stretch the field exceptionally. Should have plenty of chances to make plays as a rookie.
Adam Humphries -- Likely lock. Washington signed Humphries to a one-year deal this offseason. Has dealt with injuries the past two seasons but is one of the better slot receivers when healthy.
Cam Sims -- Good chance to make the roster. Served as Washington's No. 2 wide receiver last year and showed flashes at times after beginning the year on the practice squad.
Steven Sims Jr. -- Showed plenty of promise as an undrafted rookie in 2019 but had an overall disappointing season in 2020. Sims did have a solid outing in the playoff loss to Tampa Bay to end the season, though. His ability to make plays in the return game could boost his chance to make the roster, but he'll have to impress in camp to solidify his spot.
Kelvin Harmon -- Perhaps no Washington wideout has been dealt a tougher hand than Harmon over the past year or so, as the 2019 sixth-rounder was poised to have a significant role in Washington's offense before tearing his ACL last summer. Now, his roster spot is far from guaranteed. Harmon participated in offseason activities with the club this offseason, a positive sign in his rehab process. Harmon will be in a fight for the final roster spot.
Antonio Gandy-Golden -- In most scenarios, teams don't move on from fourth-round picks just one year after drafting them. But that could be the case with Gandy-Golden, who had just one catch in 2020 during an injury-plagued rookie season. AGG impressed during minicamp at times, which likely helps his chances of making the roster, but like Steven Sims and Harmon, will be in a competition for the final wideout spot.
Isaiah Wright -- Wright was a success story from Washington's training camp last year as he made the original 53-man roster after going undrafted. Wright also contributed decently on offense, as he hauled in 27 grabs in 14 games last fall. Washington's offseason acquisitions likely put him on the outside looking in this year, though, barring an impressive training camp.
DeAndre Carter -- Carter has been on practice squads in the NFL since 2015, but didn't make his professional debut until 2018 with the Eagles. Over the last three seasons, he's been on a trio of different teams, playing mainly on special teams. Carter is likely a long shot to make Washington's roster, unless he's clearly the best special teams option and if that's the direction the coaching staff wants to prioritize with its wide receiver depth.
Dax Milne -- A seventh-round pick from BYU, Milne excelled in the slot last season serving as Zach Wilson's favorite target. He'll likely be competing with Steven Sims Jr. for that reserve slot role, as Humphries is expected to be the starter there. If Milne can contribute on special teams, that could significantly boost his chances of making the roster. If he doesn't make the original team, though, Milne could be a prime candidate for the practice squad, too.
Tony Brown -- Undrafted out of Colorado in 2018, Brown bounced around a few practice squads before making his NFL debut last year for Washington. He's likely a long shot to make the roster.
Prediction
I believe Washington will keep seven wide receivers: Terry McLaurin, Curtis Samuel, Dyami Brown, Adam Humphries, Cam Sims, Steven Sims Jr., Antonio Gandy-Golden.
If Rivera and his staff opt to keep just six, Gandy-Golden is the odd one out.
