Terry McLaurin — 2026 Fantasy Outlook

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McLaurin was a model of consistency from 2020 through 2023, catching 320 of 516 targets for 4,435 yards and 18 touchdowns over that span, an average of 4.8 catches, 67 yards, and 0.27 touchdowns per game, translating to 13.12 PPR points and a backend WR2 profile.

His 2021 season showed regression from the prior year, with a decline of 10 catches and 65 yards on four fewer targets than his 2020 output (87/1,118/4). He topped 100 yards four times (11/107/1, 6/123/2, 7/122/1, and 5/103/1) but went scoreless over his final seven starts, with his catch (23) and yardage (318) totals tailing off badly down the stretch.

His target volume dipped to 120 in 2022, yet McLaurin somehow set a career high in receiving yards (1,191) while matching his 2021 totals in catches (77) and touchdowns (5). Six plays went for 40 or more yards, and Washington sprinkled in a handful of rushing touches (7/29). His best games came against Philadelphia twice (6/102 and 8/128), with two other 100-yard outings (6/113 and 8/105/1). The Commanders' commitment to the run game (477 rushing attempts) suppressed his opportunity, resulting in nine games with six or fewer targets.

In 2023, McLaurin saw his big-play ceiling compress, as his yards per catch fell to a career-low 12.7 after sitting at 15.5 the year before, with just one performance exceeding 90 receiving yards (6/141/1). He made up for the lack of explosiveness with week-to-week reliability; seven of eight starts from Week 2 through Week 9 produced usable fantasy numbers (16.40, 10.10, 22.60, 14.10, 15.00, 17.30, and 12.30), helping him finish 29th among wide receivers in PPR scoring at 209.20 points.

Washington's offensive makeover in 2024 brought a new quarterback, a new identity, and an unexpected surge in touchdown production for McLaurin. His target share dipped to a five-year low of 117, yet he found the end zone 13 times (nearly double his previous career high of seven) while surpassing 1,000 receiving yards for the fifth straight season with 82 catches. Five games topped 100 yards (4/100/1, 4/112, 5/125, 5/113, and 5/102/1), and five more cleared 20.00 PPR fantasy points on the strength of multiple touchdowns (6/53/2, 8/73/2, 7/73/2, 8/62/1, and 7/89/1).

He scored 10 times over his final nine regular-season appearances. His efficiency and scoring were elite, but McLaurin ranked 19th in targets, with six or fewer looks in nine games, including the postseason. His increase in scoring led to McLaurin finishing seventh in PPR fantasy points (268.80).

The Commanders ponied up $96 million for three seasons to sign McLaurin last summer. Unfortunately, he posted his worst year (38/582/3 on 60 targets) while battling a lingering quad issue. Washington gave him four targets in six of his 10 starts. McLaurin met fantasy expectations in only three games (3/54/1, 7/96/1, and 3/69/1).