There is a lot of hype surrounding the Washington Commanders’ wide receivers in 2022. Top wide receiver Terry McLaurin got paid, the Commanders spent a first-round pick on Jahan Dotson and Curtis Samuel is finally healthy.
That’s a potentially outstanding trio. Then, you have Dyami Brown, who is quietly having a terrific training camp in year two of his career.
Then, there is Cam Sims. Did you forget about him?
Sims is entering his fifth NFL season in 2022 — all with Washington. Every offseason, we’ve been promised more of Sims. Unfortunately, something happens, whether it’s an injury or quarterback issues, and the expected breakout from Sims never happens.
Sims appeared on the verge of that breakout in 2020 when Alex Smith was under center. Sims had his first career 100-yard game in the regular season and came up big in Washington’s playoff loss to Tampa Bay, going over 100 yards again and leading Washington in receiving.
The Commanders placed a tender on Sims in 2021, retaining his services for another season. There was hope he’d be Washington’s third receiver in 2021 behind McLaurin and Samuel. Nothing worked out as planned for Washington’s wide receivers in 2021, including Sims, who missed three games and battled a nagging hamstring injury for several weeks.
What should we expect in 2022?
There is no question the Commanders have their top three wideouts. And Brown is likely also in that mix, but Sims is showing everyone in training camp why you shouldn’t forget about him.
Sims catches everything. And at 6-foot-5, he has the size none of Washington’s other receivers possess. Check out this catch from Wednesday:
🎯🎯🎯🎯🎯🎯🎯🎯🎯🎯🎯🎯🎯
what a catch by @Silkysims17 pic.twitter.com/EAKA4HVC4q
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) August 17, 2022
New quarterback Carson Wentz loves throwing to big targets. While Sims will not start in 2022, barring injury, there is a role for him. Sims would be outstanding in the red zone, paired with McLaurin, Logan Thomas and Cole Turner in some big sub-packages.
The point is that you find a role for him outside of special teams, where he is outstanding. That is the good news for Sims. Due to his work on special teams, he is always active. So even if he isn’t among the team’s top receivers on game day, he will always be active, meaning the Commanders don’t have to sit someone else for Sims to be active.
On Wednesday, Sims reminded everyone why he’s still around.
