The Washington Football Team currently holds a record of 1-1 through their first two games of the 2021 NFL season. Both games were extremely close, and their Thursday night victory was largely due to Terry McLaurin. McLaurin had 11 catches for a total of 107 yards and a touchdown on Thursday night. The week prior he had a modest week, catching all 4 targets he saw for 62 yards. Can McLaurin become a fantasy football league winner this season?
Through McLaurin’s first two games in 2021 he’s put up 37.9 fantasy points in PPR formats.
- Week 1 – 4 catches, 62 yards, 10.2 points scored
- Week 2 – 11 catches, 107 yards, 1TD, 27.7 points scored.
With the share of targets McLaurin receives, and the absence of Curtis Samuel, ‘Scary Terry’ should continue to eat and produce at a high level for your fantasy football team.
Favorable Matchups
Washington’s schedule plays into McLaurin’s favor. His matchups for the majority of the year are extremely appealing, and could vault him into the WR1 conversation in fantasy football.
Here’s a list of Terry Mclaurin’s remaining projected matchups:
- Week 3 – @BUF, Tre’Davious White
- Week 4 – @ATL, A.J. Terrell
- Week 5 – NO, Marshon Lattimore
- Week 6 – KC, Charvarius Ward
- Week 7 – @GB, Jaire Alexander
- Week 8 – @DEN, Kyle Fuller
- Week 9 – BYE
- Week 10 – TB, Carlton Davis
- Week 11 – @CAR, Donte Jackson
- Week 12 – SEA, D.J. Reed
- Week 13 – @LV, Trayvon Mullen Jr.
- Week 14 – DAL, Anthony Brown
- Week 15 – @PHI, Darius Slay
- Week 16 – @DAL, Anthony Brown
- Week 17 – PHI, Darius Slay
- Week 18 – @NYG, James Bradberry
The second half of the season really sticks out. Terry should perform well, and he could potentially play a huge role in turning your team from a playoff team to a championship team.
From Weeks 11-17, the Washington Football Team avoids playing a defense that was rated in the top-15 in 2020. The Giants are the only exception, but so far their defense hasn’t looked the same (McLaurin just dominated the Giants Thursday night, in Week 2).
Many fantasy football managers ignore players’ fantasy playoff schedules. Don’t be the person to do that, and think smarter than the rest of your league.
Outlook
After the Thursday night game against the New York Giants, Terry McLaurin managers should feel confident about their choice to pick him up in their draft. McLaurin has finished as a WR2 or higher in 45% of games he’s played in his career. Expect this rate to increase during McLaurin’s third NFL season.
Realistically, McLaurin could finish the year with 145-150 targets, 90-95 catches, and 1200-1300 receiving yards along with 7-8 touchdowns. This projection would’ve placed him around the WR12 in 2020. He is a lock for top-15 production.
Yes, Terry Mclaurin can finish as the WR1 in fantasy football this season. It’s a very real possibility. He has the talent and receives the volume needed. Currently on pace for 153 targets, McLaurin is an elite weekly fantasy option.
Each season Mclaurin has improved statistically, and you can expect him to continue to improve this season. The sky’s the limit for Scary Terry. It’s only a matter of time until we all see McLaurin truly breakout.
You can start McLaurin with confidence each week. With his extremely favorable matchups in Weeks 11-18, he is a potential league winner!
