Terry McLaurin makes NFL history

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

Well, first, let’s settle the question of Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin becoming the fourth NFL player to reach those receiving stats Sunday against the Saints.

That’s right. Only four receivers have achieved these plateaus in NFL history for various reasons. Injuries are a major reason as players occasionally get injured.

In the last 30 years, the game has changed to much more of a passing game, yet only four receivers in the previous 30 years have caught 50 passes and accumulated 900 receiving years in their first six NFL seasons.

When you consider the quarterbacks who have started for Washington during his six seasons, McLaurin’s accomplishments become even more remarkable. Here are the quarterbacks who went on to 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

Going through the list, one shakes one’s head and wonders how it is that McLaurin accomplished this.

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

Remarkably, no, not even Jerry Rice. Rice had 49 receptions in his rookie season and began his Hall of Fame credentials.

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

Gary Clark? No. In his fourth season, Clark accumulated 892 receiving yards, falling just eight yards short.

Randy Moss? Yes, you are right. Furthermore, Moss was actually the very first NFL receiver to reach those heights in each of his first six NFL seasons. In his seventh NFL season, he had just 49 receptions, a single reception short of reaching those levels in his first seven seasons.

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

Mike Evans? Evans lives on a different planet than other wide receivers. He has accomplished those numbers in each of his first ten NFL seasons. Of course, he is the only receiver in NFL history to accomplish this in his first ten seasons. Additionally, even though he missed three games this season, he is on pace to reach those marks again in 2024 for his 11th straight season!

*In fairness 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 1978–2020, the NFL played 16-game regular seasons, beginning with 17 games in 2021.