Washington Commanders Pro Football Hall of Fame watch
The Pro Football Hall of Fame will induct the class of 2023 on Aug. 5. Here are players from the 2023 Commanders who could join the immortals in Canton someday.
Young players who could develop into a Hall of Famers
Terry McLaurin, wide receiver: Since joining Washington as a third-round pick in 2019, McLaurin has been one of the NFL’s steadiest receivers. He has led the team in receiving yards every year, averaging 1,070 receiving. If only the team’s quarterback position was so steady.
In just four years, McLaurin has had nine different quarterbacks, none of whom will ever be in the Hall of Fame. With that much turnover at QB, his consistency often goes unnoticed. Aside from his rookie season, McLaurin has been a top-20 receiver every year. In 2022, he cracked the top 10 catching passes from Carson Wentz, Taylor Heinicke and Sam Howell.
People also underestimate his physical gifts. At 6-foot and 210 pounds, McLaurin has enough size to fight off defenders, and with 4.35 speed, he has the wheels to run by many of them. That's probably why Pro Football Focus ranks him as the NFL's eighth-best receiver for 2023.
Washington hasn't had a receiver elected to the Hall of Fame since Art Monk in 2008. Comparing McLaurin to Monk may seem unfair, but McLaurin’s numbers are much better than Monk’s were after four seasons. If the team ever gets its quarterback situation figured out, McLaurin has an outside chance of joining Monk in Canton.
Chase Young, defensive end: After a dominant rookie season in 2020, the Hall of Fame seemed like a foregone conclusion for the former second overall pick. In 15 games, Young had 44 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, four pass breakups, four forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries.
He was named to the Pro Bowl and became the fourth player in franchise history to be named the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. Then came injuries.
Young suffered a torn ACL in Week 10 of the 2021 season, forcing him to miss the rest of the season and a large part of the 2022 season. He returned for the team’s final three regular-season games but managed only five tackles.
Things aren’t looking great for Young. The team declined his fifth-year option, and he hasn't played stellar football in three years. But Young is only 24. If he can get healthy and regain his Rookie of the Year form, he has the tools and time to put together a Hall of Fame career.
Jonathan Allen, defensive tackle: Allen didn’t get off to a hot start like Young, but for the past five years he’s arguably been Washington’s best defensive player. Last year, Allen had 65 tackles, 7.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and his first career interception.
According to Pro Football Focus, Allen is the NFL’s 10th-best interior defender. His pass rush grades of 80.0 or better put him in the top 10 at his position for the past three seasons. He’s also an excellent run defender. His 16 tackles at or behind the line of scrimmage on run plays tied for most among defensive tackles.
Allen was named to the Pro Bowl in each of the last two seasons. At 28 years old, the former first-round pick is just hitting his prime. He’s signed through 2025 and if he maintains his steady play, he’ll have a strong case to make the Hall of Fame.
Daron Payne, defensive tackle: After signing a four-year, $90M contract extension in March, Washington’s other first-round, Pro Bowl defensive tackle is locked up through 2026.
Payne had a career-high 64 tackles and 11.5 sacks last year and led the team with 18 tackles for loss. Those stats matter, especially to Payne who set a goal of 10 sacks for 2022. According to team reporter Julie Donaldson, he expects even more next year.
"Last year I went into it with a goal of 10 sacks, and I got 11.5," Payne said. "I think I'm going to shoot for like 13 [sacks], and a whole bunch of TFLs and forced fumbles."
That would certainly help his Hall of Fame chances and if he can get a little better against the run, Payne’s Hall of Fame chances are as good as anyone’s on the team.
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