James Washington (wide receiver)

Last updated

James Washington
2017-0717-Big12MD-JamesWashington.jpg
Washington in 2017
Personal information
Born: (1996-04-02) April 2, 1996 (age 28)
Stamford, Texas, U.S.
Height:5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight:216 lb (98 kg)
Career information
High school: Stamford
College: Oklahoma State (2014–2017)
Position: Wide receiver
NFL draft: 2018  / round: 2 / pick: 60
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Receptions:114
Receiving yards:1,629
Receiving touchdowns:11
Stats at Pro Football Reference

James Edward Washington Jr. (born April 2, 1996) is an American professional football wide receiver who is a free agent. He played college football for the Oklahoma State Cowboys, winning the Fred Biletnikoff Award and earning unanimous All-American honors in 2017. Washington was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the second round of the 2018 NFL draft. He has also been a member of the Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, New Orleans Saints, Indianapolis Colts, and Atlanta Falcons.

Contents

Early life

Washington attended Stamford High School in Stamford, Texas. [1] As a senior, he had 73 receptions for 1,331 yards and 24 touchdowns as a receiver and 42 tackles and seven interceptions on defense, on route to a second straight state championship. He committed to Oklahoma State University to play college football. [2] Washington also played tennis, basketball and ran track in high school. [3]

College career

As a true freshman at Oklahoma State in 2014, Washington played in all 13 games and had 28 receptions for 456 yards and six touchdowns. [4] Playing in all 13 games again as a sophomore in 2015 he recorded 53 receptions for 1,087 and 10 touchdowns. [5] [6] As a junior in 2016, he had 71 receptions for 1,380 yards and 10 touchdowns. He was named Offensive MVP of the 2016 Alamo Bowl after recording nine receptions for 171 yards and a touchdown. [7] Washington returned to Oklahoma State for his senior year, rather than enter the 2017 NFL draft. [8] In 2017, Washington won the Biletnikoff Award for the nation's best wide receiver. [9]

College statistics

SeasonTeamGPReceiving
RecYdsTD
2014 Oklahoma State 13284576
2015 Oklahoma State 13531,08710
2016 Oklahoma State 13711,38010
2017 Oklahoma State 13741,54913
Totals [10] 522264,47239

Professional career

Pre-draft

On December 11, 2017, it was announced that Washington had accepted his invitation to play in the 2018 Senior Bowl. [11] Washington impressed scouts and analysts during practices in preparation for the Senior Bowl. On January 27, 2018, Washington played in the Senior Bowl, but finished without a catch as a part of Houston Texans head coach Bill O'Brien's South team that defeated the North 45–16. Throughout the game he was covered by Jacksonville State's Siran Neal. [12] He attended the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis and completed all of the combine and positional drills. He finished 14th among all wide receivers in the short shuttle. [13] On March 15, 2018, Washington participated at Oklahoma State's pro day and performed the 40-yard dash (4.50s), 20-yard dash (2.70s), 10-yard dash (1.61s), vertical jump (39"), and broad jump (10'2"). He also attended a pre-draft visit with the Dallas Cowboys. [14] At the conclusion of the pre-draft process, Washington was projected to be a third round pick by NFL draft experts and scouts. He was ranked the seventh best wide receiver prospect in the draft by Scouts Inc. and was ranked the ninth best wide receiver by DraftScout.com. [15] [16]

External videos
Nuvola apps kaboodle.svg NFL Draft Profile: James Washington
Nuvola apps kaboodle.svg James Washington's NFL Combine Workout
Nuvola apps kaboodle.svg James Washington runs the 40-yard dash
Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
5 ft 11 in
(1.80 m)
203 lb
(92 kg)
32+38 in
(0.82 m)
9+34 in
(0.25 m)
4.54 s1.59 s2.64 s4.32 s7.11 s34+12 in
(0.88 m)
10 ft 0 in
(3.05 m)
14 reps
All values from NFL Combine [17] [18]

Pittsburgh Steelers

The Pittsburgh Steelers selected Washington in the second round (60th overall) of the 2018 NFL draft. [19] He was the seventh wide receiver taken in the draft. [20] His Oklahoma State teammate, quarterback Mason Rudolph, was selected by the Steelers in the third round (76th overall). [21] On May 12, 2018, the Steelers signed Washington to a four-year, $4.50 million contract that includes a signing bonus of $1.35 million. [22] In the Steelers' Week 2 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, Washington recorded his first professional reception, which was a 14-yard touchdown. [23] Washington finished his rookie season with 16 receptions for 217 yards and one touchdown. [24]

External videos
Nuvola apps kaboodle.svg Steelers draft Washington 60th overall
Nuvola apps kaboodle.svg Instant Draft Grade: James Washington
Washington in a game against the Cleveland Browns James Washington.jpg
Washington in a game against the Cleveland Browns

In Week 10 of the 2019 season against the Los Angeles Rams, Washington caught a season high six passes for 90 yards and his first touchdown of the season in the 17–12 win. [25] In Week 12 against the Cincinnati Bengals, Washington caught three passes for 98 yards including a 79-yard touchdown in the 16–10 win. [26] During Week 13 against the Cleveland Browns, Washington finished with 111 receiving yards on four receptions, including a 30-yard touchdown, as the Steelers won 20–13. [27] Overall, Washington finished the 2019 season with 44 receptions for 735 receiving yards and three receiving touchdowns. [28]

Washington was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list by the Steelers on August 2, 2020, [29] and was activated five days later. [30] In Week 1 against the New York Giants, Washington caught 2 passes for 34 yards and his first receiving touchdown of the season during the 26–16 win. [31] In Week 6 against the Browns, Washington caught 4 passes for 68 yards and a receiving touchdown in a blowout 38–7 win. [32]

Dallas Cowboys

On March 18, 2022, Washington signed a one-year contract with the Cowboys as a free agent, with the intention to help offset the losses of wide receivers Amari Cooper and Cedrick Wilson Jr.. [33] During training camp, Washington was carted off the practice field after suffering a fractured fifth metatarsal in his right foot. [34] He was placed on injured reserve on August 31, 2022. [35] He was activated from injured reserve on December 10, 2022. [36] He appeared in 2 games as backup and did not register any statistics. [37] He was released on January 4, 2023. [38]

New York Giants

The Giants signed Washington to their practice squad on January 11, 2023. [39] His practice squad contract with the team expired after the season on January 21.

New Orleans Saints

On May 15, 2023, Washington signed with the New Orleans Saints on a one-year deal. [40] He was released on August 15, 2023, exactly three months after he was signed. [41]

Indianapolis Colts

On August 18, 2023, Washington signed with the Indianapolis Colts, but was cut 10 days later on August 28. [42] [43]

Atlanta Falcons

On July 29, 2024, Washington signed with the Atlanta Falcons. [44] He was released on August 18, 2024. [45]

NFL career statistics

Regular season

YearTeamGamesReceivingRushingFumbles
GPGSRecYdsAvgLngTDAttYdsAvgLngTDFumLost
2018 PIT 1461621713.6471000.00000
2019 PIT 15104473516.7793000.00011
2020 PIT 1673039213.1505000.00000
2021 PIT 1522428511.94222136.512000
2022 DAL 20000.000000.00000
Total62251141,62914.379112136.512011

Postseason

YearTeamGamesReceivingRushingFumbles
GPGSRecYdsAvgLngTDAttYdsAvgLngTDFumLost
2020 PIT 1057214.4270000.00000
2021 PIT 1023718.5221000.00000
Total20710915.6271000.00000

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References

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  25. "Steelers defense leads way in 17–12 win over Rams". ESPN . Associated Press. November 10, 2019. Retrieved November 10, 2019.
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  27. "Duck's Dynasty? Backup Hodges leads Steelers by Browns 20–13". ESPN . Associated Press. December 1, 2019. Retrieved December 1, 2019.[ dead link ]
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