The Washington Commanders are seemingly starting off with a clean slate after many years of being a laughingstock, and they have some real hope for the future.
Last year, a new ownership group headed by billionaire investor Josh Harris and NBA legend Magic Johnson purchased the team from the controversial Daniel Snyder, and three weeks ago, it took LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels with the No. 2 pick in the draft.
On Wednesday, Washington added some depth by agreeing to sign wide receiver Damiere Byrd, per Jordan Schultz.
Former #Falcons WR Damiere Byrd is signing with the #Commanders after a workout, per source. pic.twitter.com/M3kt4LCtye
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) May 15, 2024
Byrd spent the last two seasons with the Atlanta Falcons, and while he played in just one game and recorded no catches in 2023, he had 13 receptions for 268 yards and two touchdowns in 14 games the previous season.
His best season came in 2020 with the New England Patriots when he caught 47 balls for 604 yards and one touchdown.
Byrd has played for five NFL teams thus far in his career, and he was originally undrafted out of the University of South Carolina.
He is greatly undersized for the wide receiver position in the NFL at just 5-foot-9, but he did run the 40-yard dash in a very impressive 4.28 seconds during South Carolina’s Pro Day in 2015.
The Commanders are definitely at the ground level of their rebuilding project, but they did make a few other interesting additions this offseason, including star dual-threat running back Austin Ekeler and veteran linebacker Bobby Wagner.
Their top receiving threat remains wideout Terry McLaurin, who tallied 1,002 yards and four touchdowns last season, and the hope is that his production will increase a bit with Daniels, 2023’s Heisman Trophy winner, now at the controls.
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Insider Reveals When Jayden Daniels Will Make His NFL Debut
