ASHBURN, Va. — The Washington Commanders dipped into the Wayback Machine for wide receiver help by signing Martavis Bryant, who last played an NFL game in 2018.
Bryant, 32, had 14 touchdown receptions in his first two seasons after the Pittsburgh Steelers selected him in the fourth round of the 2014 draft. However, the NFL suspended him for the 2016 season due to his violation of the league’s substance abuse policy. After two more seasons, including one with the Raiders, Bryant received an indefinite suspension for another violation in 2018, one year before Washington drafted four-time 1,000-yard receiver Terry McLaurin.
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“I’m sure it’s a grind to stay locked in and be ready for your moment,” McLaurin said. “But when you see him out here running around, big, strong. He looks like he’s in great shape.”
Despite that NFL inactivity — Bryant participated in the XFL as recently as 2023 and was on the Dallas Cowboys’ practice squad last year — Washington is taking a chance on size. The Commanders worked out the 6-foot-4 receiver in the spring and again on Tuesday before the signing.
“I honestly didn’t know,” Bryant said about having another shot at returning to the NFL. “I had to make sure I was prepared to seize the moment if I was given the opportunity. I’m grateful and thankful.”
Washington coach Dan Quinn was Dallas’ defensive coordinator last season as Bryant continued his comeback bid.
“Competing against him … seeing the skills, seeing how we competed against him. Often, we would put him in a certain spot to simulate the size of a receiver or the speed,” Quinn said. “Getting him here now with (receivers coach) Bobby (Engram), getting the process started, we’ll find out the things that he can do well and how we can feature them.”
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Bryant’s long-shot roster candidacy isn’t a bonkers notion considering the Commanders’ situation and the development of heralded first-round quarterback Jayden Daniels.
McLaurin is atop Washington’s receiver depth chart. After the 6-foot playmaker rotational uncertainty follows, and none of the likely roster options offer red zone size. Though the tight ends, namely Zach Ertz and second-round pick Ben Sinnott, can help Daniels in the red zone, Quinn acknowledged Washington sought more height and physicality at receiver.
Jahan Dotson entered training camp as the expected starter opposite McLaurin. However, the 2022 first-round pick, coming off a down statistical season, has been uneven this summer. Dotson surprisingly played the most snaps (32) of any Commanders receiver in Saturday’s preseason opener at the New York Jets.
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“I think we’re right in the middle of that competition at receiver,” Quinn said Monday. “Trying to find out slot and inside and outside, so moving guys into different locations. That’s a big piece of it, and you’ll see more of that this week as well with (Dotson) and with some of the other receivers. We’re really digging into that group and it’s a really competitive group to push it, so you’ll see more of that same with his reps increased again this week.”
At 5-foot-11, Dotson may end up working more in the slot with the new coaching staff but now faces playing time battles with free-agent signing Olamide Zaccheaus and fourth-year receiver Dyami Brown. Zaccheaus, a 5-foot-8 target, entered the NFL with the 2019 Atlanta Falcons coached by Quinn. After a 40-catch season in 2022, he signed with the Philadelphia Eagles but couldn’t crack the rotation, finishing with 10 receptions.
“I knew it was going to be (challenging) going to Philly,” Zaccheaus said, “but I didn’t think it was going to be like that.”
With Washington, Zaccheaus has been a sharp route runner and consistent pass catcher. He also took the team’s first two punt return attempts against the Jets. Despite the limited opportunities with Philadelphia, Zaccheaus believes “last year made me a better overall player and teammate. I don’t look at that as a down year for me. Statistically, it might be that way, but it taught me a lot.”
Brown hasn’t sniffed the expectations (29 receptions in three seasons) that come with being a 2021 third-round pick. But the 6-foot receiver offers downfield speed, and Quinn praised Brown’s energy and effort throughout camp. In Saturday’s preseason game, Daniels’ first NFL completion was a 42-yard strike to Brown.
GO DEEPERJayden Daniels goes rogue, delivers wow play in Commanders preseason debut“You’ve seen some big plays from Dyami through this training camp,” Quinn said. “There’s actually some in the spring that got my attention to say, ‘OK, what’s there?’ His ability to get on top of people and stay. He’s got size, he’s got length, so there’s actually a good play in the one-on-ones that transferred into the game. … I was excited for him to make a big play like that (in the game).”
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The Commanders’ previous regime offered Brown to teams at last year’s trade deadline.
“I can’t speak to the past,” Quinn continued, “but what I can say is from what I’ve seen here, the competing, he’s on special teams, he’s really going for it.”
Third-round pick Luke McCaffrey has slot and outside potential. Christian McCaffrey’s youngest brother is the tallest of this bunch at a smidge under 6-foot-2, but he hasn’t popped yet this summer. Veterans Jamison Crowder and Byron Pringle, second-year player Mitchell Tinsley and 2023 practice squanders Brycen Tremayne and Kazmeir Allen are other candidates if the Commanders keep at least six receivers on the Week 1 roster.
At 6-foot-4, Tremayne’s appeal centers on his size. The Stanford alum has shined this summer with downfield catching and blocking, but he lacks the desired speed.
Bryant displayed the entire package with Pittsburgh when Tremayne was still in high school. The two taller targets are now on the same field trying to show what they can do, or, in Bryant’s case, what he has left to offer.
“I do my homework on a lot of receivers in the league and I know he can run, too,” McLaurin said. “If you have a big, fast wideout like that who can make plays above the rim, who can win the vertical pass game, contested catch situations. That’s a big plus for you as a team.”
The opportunity is a potentially seismic one for Washington’s newest receiver.
“You got to be strong-minded,” Bryant said. “I’ve been through a lot. I don’t give up on myself. I never gave up. I’ve always been a fighter and I’ll continue to do that.”
Required reading
• Commanders 53-man roster projection: Intrigue at WR, offensive and defensive lines
(Photo: Isaiah J. Downing / USA Today)
Ben Standig is a senior NFL writer focused on the Washington Commanders for The Athletic. The native Washingtonian also hosts the "Standig Room Only" podcast. Ben has covered D.C. area sports since 2005 and is a three-time winner of The Huddle Report's annual NFL mock draft contest. Follow Ben on Twitter @benstandig
