Niner Noise
FanSided

3 Washington players who should scare SF 49ers in Week 14

By Robert Morrison

Washington Redskins running back Wendell Smallwood (34) by San Francisco 49ers strong safety Jaquiski Tartt (29) and defensive end Nick Bosa (97) Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Washington Redskins running back Wendell Smallwood (34) by San Francisco 49ers strong safety Jaquiski Tartt (29) and defensive end Nick Bosa (97) Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /
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Washington Football Team wide receiver Terry McLaurin (17) Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
Washington Football Team wide receiver Terry McLaurin (17) Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 2: WR Terry McLaurin

Speaking of dangerous young wideouts, Washington has one, too, in the form of former Ohio State pass-catcher Terry McLaurin.

McLaurin was a third-round draft pick in 2019 (who was still on the board when the SF 49ers selected Jalen Hurd) who surprised most pundits by having a breakout rookie season. McLaurin finished the year with 58 receptions on 93 targets for 919 yards and seven touchdowns in 14 games.

So far in 2020, he’s been even better, already surpassing his rookie season catch total with 71, targets with 108, and yards with 977, all through just 12 games. If he keeps up his receptions-per-game pace of just under six a contest, he’ll just miss pulling in triple-digit passes, but will most certainly attain his first NFL 1,000-yard campaign.

The Washington receiver is a threat with the ball in his hands, averaging 6.4 yards after catch per reception, according to Pro Football Focus, and even though he is coming off his worst performance of the season, a two-reception, 14-yard outing in a win over Pittsburgh on Monday, he’s still among the most effective receivers in the game.

Coming off the performance the SF 49ers secondary put on during Monday’s loss to Buffalo, and how poorly the Niners defense has faired against No. 1 receivers in the past, it will be paramount for the unit to figure out how to keep McLaurin in check.

Outside of McLaurin, there aren’t a lot of major concerns on Washington’s offense in terms of skill position players, although tight end Logan Thomas has been good of late. So if the SF 49ers can hold the receiver in check, it should bode well for their hopes of winning the game.