Terry Mclaurin

Career StatsC+

Year	Team	GP	Rec	Yards	TD
Career		107	498	6,961	41
2025		10	38	582	3
2024		17	82	1,096	13
2023		17	79

Current Contract

Contract Value Index (CVI)

This three-year, $97M extension for Terry McLaurin represents a slight overpay that earns a C- CVI, as Washington locks up a solid starter at premium money typically reserved for elite receivers. At $32.3M AAV, McLaurin is being compensated in the same tier as legitimate WR1s, despite his production profile placing him more in the reliable-but-not-explosive category of receivers who can handle volume without consistently taking over games. The 29-year-old is entering what should still be his prime years, but the lack of a true breakout season raises questions about whether he can grow into this contract's expectations or if this represents his ceiling. The $44.6M guaranteed provides Washington with reasonable flexibility after two seasons if McLaurin doesn't elevate his game, though they're still betting heavily on a player who's been more "very good" than "great" throughout his career. While McLaurin brings valuable consistency and leadership to a young offense, this deal feels like the Commanders paid market rate for a player they hope becomes worth it rather than rewarding proven elite production.

Performance Analysis

Terry McLaurin enters free agency as one of the more intriguing veteran wide receivers on the market — a former third-round pick out of Ohio State who has spent seven seasons establishing himself as one of Washington's most reliable offensive weapons despite playing through a revolving door of quarterbacks and offensive coordinators. Entering his age-30 season, McLaurin carries a C+ overall grade that reflects a current-year performance somewhat below his career standard, though his body of work across 107 games tells a more complete story of a legitimate WR1 who has consistently produced in difficult circumstances. He is not the ascending star he was in his mid-twenties, but he remains a viable starting receiver with proven traits that translate regardless of scheme or quarterback situation. The question for any prospective team is whether the version of McLaurin they are signing is the B+ performer he showed in 2024, or the C-level output he delivered in 2023, with this past season landing closer to the former concern than the latter. On the field, McLaurin's most compelling attribute remains his ability to generate yards after the catch and down the field, posting a yards-per-reception mark of 15.3 against an NFL average of 12.7 — a meaningful separation that underscores his value as a vertical threat and contested-catch receiver rather than a short-area accumulator. His receiving yards per game sit at 58.2, comfortably above the league average of 50.0, though still a significant distance from the elite tier of 80.0 yards per game that separates true number-one options. The biggest concern is his touchdown production, which at 0.30 scores per game sits right at the NFL average of 0.30 — fine for a complementary piece, but underwhelming for a receiver expected to command WR1 money and targets. McLaurin draws natural comparisons to veterans like Brandin Cooks in his later years — a receiver with legitimate big-play DNA who benefits enormously from having a competent quarterback willing to trust him downfield. Looking ahead, McLaurin's trajectory will depend almost entirely on the offensive environment he lands in, and a creative front office pairing him with a capable young quarterback could unlock a meaningful late-career resurgence. His grade climbed from a C- in 2023 to a B+ in 2024 before settling back to a C this past season, suggesting his production is highly context-dependent rather than driven by physical decline — an encouraging sign for teams willing to invest. If he lands in a run-heavy system with limited passing volume, the ceiling is a solid complementary receiver; in the right scheme, there is a legitimate argument that McLaurin has one more above-average season left in the tank.

Current Sentiment

Terry McLaurin's Contract Value Index (CVI) grade of B reflects the complex market dynamics surrounding one of the NFL's most consistently productive receivers heading into 2026 free agency. Despite maintaining elite on-field performance with nearly 7,000 career receiving yards, McLaurin finds himself in an unusual position where organizational uncertainty overshadows his individual excellence. The prolonged contract impasse with Washington has created a narrative of friction that dampens what should be overwhelmingly positive sentiment for a franchise-caliber receiver. Media coverage has shifted from celebrating his production to analyzing the dysfunction, with draft speculation about his potential replacement adding another layer of uncertainty to his market perception. While agent-driven compromise discussions suggest the relationship hasn't completely deteriorated, McLaurin's reputation remains caught between his proven elite play and the organizational chaos surrounding his future. This disconnect between performance and perception explains why a receiver of his caliber carries a solid but not spectacular market grade, as teams will weigh both his undeniable talent and the potential baggage from Washington's handling of the situation.