Tag: WR / PR Kazmeir Allen

Commanders sign WR Damiere Byrd

The Commanders sign a WR with ties to Kliff Kingsbury.

The Commanders signed a veteran wide receiver on Wednesday.

After working out some receivers on Wednesday, the Commanders determined that they would be signing Damiere Byrd, per Tom Pelissero.

The 5-foot-9, 175-pound veteran played his college ball at South Carolina and was undrafted. He was signed first by Ron Rivera and the Carolina Panthers.

Three seasons in Carolina (2016-18) resulted in 12 receptions for 129 yards and two receiving touchdowns.

Why did the Commanders go with Byrd? A very logical explanation may be that Byrd has playing experience under new offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury. In 2019, Byrd spent one season with the Cardinals and Kingsbury. He was on the receiving end of 32 passes for 359 yards and one touchdown.

2020 Byrd enjoyed career highs when he caught 47 passes for 604 receiving yards playing for the New England Patriots.

Byrd caught 26 passes for 329 yards in 2021 for the Chicago Bears before moving again, this time to the Atlanta Falcons for the 2022 and 2023 seasons. 13 receptions for 268 yards and two touchdowns came in the first season in Atlanta, but only two targets (no receptions) came in his lone game last season.

Here are some big plays receiving and returning by Byrd.

The eight-year veteran turned age 31 in January and is hoping to make the Commanders his sixth NFL team. He will be in a battle with Kazmeir Allen, Dyami Brown, Jamison Crowder, Davion Davis, Dax Milne, Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint, Mitchell Tinsley, Brycen Tremayne and Olamide Zaccheaus for roster spots.

The Commanders really need a few of these receivers to step up this offseason and preseason, as only Terry McLaurin, Jahan Dotson, and Luke McCaffrey are sure bets to be on the 53-man roster.

Why the Commanders kept Dax Milne

Milne is back for a third season with Washington.

Commanders fans were very excited watching undrafted free-agent receiver Kazmeir Allen, yet the Commanders coaching staff and front office chose to keep Dax Milne.

There will be those scratching their heads, voicing disapproval, wanting to see Allen running back kicks in 2023 for the Commanders.

Well, if Allen clears waivers he most certainly will be brought back and assigned to the practice squad. The former UCLA Bruin has exhibited a quickness on a few returns that no doubt has caught the coaches’ eyes as well.

However, general manager Martin Mayhew already stated Tuesday regarding his receivers, “You know our top guys are really special. And we think there are some young guys who can develop behind those.”

Terry McLaurin, Jahan Dotson, Curtis Samuel and Dyami Brown are clearly the top four receivers.

Byron Pringle brings three years of experience with the Chiefs and one with the Bears to the equation. If injury occurs to one of the top four, Pringle would be called upon right away.

Mitchell Tinsley (Penn State) is a rookie whom the Commanders kept because he displayed more potential as an actual receiver than Milne and Allen. Washington did not want to expose Tinsley to waivers for fear he could very likely have been claimed.

Thus, the final receiver roster spot came down to Milne and Allen. Yes, Allen flashed more return potential than Milne in the preseason. But he also had two miscues in the final preseason game against Cincinnati.

Some will immediately respond, “But all Milne did last season was catch punts. He did not have breakaway ability.” Yes, you are correct; Milne did not display breakaway ability. Yet, you are also correct; he caught the ball. You can’t return the ball unless you initially field the ball.

The Commanders chose to go with Milne to field the punts for now. As for kickoffs? The NFL has absolutely ruined kickoffs, virtually eliminating them. They have so minimized kickoffs the Commanders may return very few kicks this season.

The Commanders will likely bring back Allen to the practice squad. They will have him learning more about the receiver position and give him lots of reps fielding Tress Way’s punting workouts during the season.

You may be upset for now, but hold on, you may see Allen returning punts in the Commanders future.

But for now, the wiser move was to go with Milne.