Terry McLaurin makes NFL history

Quickly name the only four NFL receivers in history to reach the milestone of 50 catches and 900 receiving yards in each of their first six seasons.

First, let’s address the question of whether Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin will become the fourth NFL player to achieve this receiver statistic on Sunday against the Saints.

That’s right. For various reasons, only four receivers in NFL history have reached these plateaus. Injuries are a major reason as players occasionally get injured.

Over the last 30 years, the game has evolved into a much stronger passing game, yet only four receivers in the last 30 years have caught 50 passes and accumulated 900 receiving years in their first six NFL seasons.

When you consider the quarterbacks who started for Washington in his six seasons, McLaurin’s accomplishments become even more remarkable. Here are the quarterbacks who suited McLaurin:

• 2019: Case Keenum, Dwayne Haskins, Colt McCoy
• 2020: Dwayne Haskins, Kyle Allen, Alex Smith, Taylor Heinicke
• 2021: Ryan Fitzpatrick, Taylor Heinicke, Kyle Allen, Garrett Gilbert
• 2022: Carson Wentz, Taylor Heinicke, Sam Howell
• 2023: Sam Howell, Jacoby Brissett
• 2024: Jayden Daniels, Marcus Mariota

As you go through the list, you shake your head and wonder how McLaurin did it.

OK, who are the other three NFL receivers in modern history who have achieved these stats in their first six NFL seasons?

Remarkably, no, not even Jerry Rice. Rice had 49 receptions in his rookie season and began to cement himself into the Hall of Fame.

No, not Art Monk. The NFL season was shortened to nine games in its third season due to the players’ strike.

Gary Clark? No. In his fourth season, Clark amassed 892 receiving yards, trailing by just eight yards.

Randy Moss? Yes, you are right. Additionally, Moss was actually the first-ever NFL receiver to reach these heights in each of his first six NFL seasons. He had just 49 receptions in his seventh NFL season, missing a single reception in his first seven seasons.

AJ Green? Yes, Green achieved those numbers in his first seven NFL seasons, all with the Bengals. Green became the first to have 50 receiving and 900 receiving yards in his first seven seasons.

Mike Evans? Evans lives on a different planet than other wide receivers. He has achieved these numbers in each of his first 10 NFL seasons. Of course, he is the only receiver in NFL history to do this in his first ten seasons. Additionally, while he has missed three games this season, he is on track to reach that mark again for the 11th consecutive year in 2024!

*To be fair to great receivers like Moss, Rice, Monk and Clark, none of these guys had the opportunity to play in a 17-game NFL season. From 1978 to 2020, the NFL played 16-game regular seasons and began 2021 with 17 games.