James Washington (wide receiver)

James Washington

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
Position:	Wide receiver
NFL draft:	2018  / Round: 2 / Pick: 60
Career history
Pittsburgh Steelers (2018–2021) Dallas Cowboys (2022) New York Giants (2022) New Orleans Saints (2023)* Indianapolis Colts (2023)*
* Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
Fred Biletnikoff Award (2017) Unanimous All-American (2017) 2× First-team All-Big 12 (2016, 2017) Second-team All-Big 12 (2015)
Career NFL statistics
Receptions: 114 Receiving yards: 1,629 Receiving touchdowns: 11
Player stats at PFR

James Edward Washington Jr. (born April 2, 1996) is an American football wide receiver who is a free agent. He played college football at Oklahoma State, where he won the Fred Biletnikoff Award and named a unanimous All-American in 2017 before being drafted 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 and Indianapolis Colts.

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.

College statistics

Season	Team	GP	Receiving
			Rec	Yds	TD
2014	Oklahoma State	13	28	457	6
2015	Oklahoma State	13	53	1,087	10
2016	Oklahoma State	13	71	1,380	10
2017	Oklahoma State	13	74	1,549	13
Totals [9]		52	226	4,472	39

Professional career

Pre-draft

On December 11, 2017, it was announced that Washington had accepted his invitation to play in the 2018 Senior Bowl. ^[10] 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. ^[11] 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. ^[12] 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. ^[13] 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. ^{[14] [15]}

External videos
NFL Draft Profile: James Washington
James Washington's NFL Combine Workout
James Washington runs the 40-yard dash

Pre-draft measurables

Height	Weight	Arm length	Hand span	40-yard dash	10-yard split	20-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+3⁄8 in (0.82 m)	9+3⁄4 in (0.25 m)	4.54 s	1.59 s	2.64 s	4.32 s	7.11 s	34+1⁄2 in (0.88 m)	10 ft 0 in (3.05 m)	14 reps
All values from NFL Combine [16] [17]

Pittsburgh Steelers

The Pittsburgh Steelers selected Washington in the second round (60th overall) of the 2018 NFL Draft. ^[18] He was the seventh wide receiver taken in the draft. ^[19] His Oklahoma State teammate, quarterback Mason Rudolph, was selected by the Steelers in the third round (76th overall). ^[20] 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. ^[21] In the Steelers' Week 2 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, Washington recorded his first professional reception, which was a 14-yard touchdown. ^[22] Washington finished his rookie season with 16 receptions for 217 yards and one touchdown. ^[23]

External videos
Steelers draft Washington 60th overall
Instant Draft Grade: James Washington

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. ^[24] In Week 12 against the Cincinnati Bengals, Washington caught three passes for 98 yards including a 79-yard touchdown in the 16–10 win. ^[25] 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. ^[26] Overall, Washington finished the 2019 season with 44 receptions for 735 receiving yards and three receiving touchdowns. ^[27]

Washington was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list by the Steelers on August 2, 2020, ^[28] and was activated five days later. ^[29] 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. ^[30] In Week 6 against the Browns, Washington caught 4 passes for 68 yards and a receiving touchdown in a blowout 38-7 win. ^[31]

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.. ^[32] During training camp, Washington was carted off the practice field after suffering a fractured fifth metatarsal in his right foot. ^[33] He was placed on injured reserve on August 31, 2022. ^[34] He was activated from injured reserve on December 10, 2022. ^[35] He appeared in 2 games as backup and did not register any stats. He was released on January 4, 2023. ^[36]

New York Giants

The Giants signed Washington to their practice squad on January 11, 2023. ^[37] 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. ^[38] He was released on August 15, 2023, exactly three months after he was signed. ^[39]

Indianapolis Colts

On August 18, 2023, Washington signed with the Indianapolis Colts, but was cut 10 days later on August 28. ^{[40] [41]}

NFL career statistics

Regular season

Year	Team	Games		Receiving					Rushing					Fumbles
		GP	GS	Rec	Yds	Avg	Lng	TD	Att	Yds	Avg	Lng	TD	Fum	Lost
2018	PIT	14	6	16	217	13.6	47	1	0	0	0.0	0	0	0	0
2019	PIT	15	10	44	735	16.7	79	3	0	0	0.0	0	0	1	1
2020	PIT	16	7	30	392	13.1	50	5	0	0	0.0	0	0	0	0
2021	PIT	15	2	24	285	11.9	42	2	2	13	6.5	12	0	0	0
2022	DAL	2	0	0	0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0.0	0	0	0	0
Total		62	25	114	1,629	14.3	79	11	2	13	6.5	12	0	1	1

Postseason

Year	Team	Games		Receiving					Rushing					Fumbles
		GP	GS	Rec	Yds	Avg	Lng	TD	Att	Yds	Avg	Lng	TD	Fum	Lost
2020	PIT	1	0	5	72	14.4	27	0	0	0	0.0	0	0	0	0
2021	PIT	1	0	2	37	18.5	22	1	0	0	0.0	0	0	0	0
Total		2	0	7	109	15.6	27	1	0	0	0.0	0	0	0	0

References

1. "OSU football: Cowboys found a gem in James Washington". October 29, 2015.
2. Writer, MARK COOPER World Sports. "Small-town OSU freshman James Washington is making a big impression".
3. "How Oklahoma St. WR James Washington forged competitive edge through tennis". September 2, 2015.
4. "Stamford grad Washington blooms into star for Oklahoma State".
5. "James Washington hopes to continue Oklahoma State's tradition of star receivers". March 23, 2016.
6. Elmquist, Jason. "Washington prepared to become next great Oklahoma State receiver".
7. "OSU football: Washington earns offensive MVP honor in Alamo Bowl rout over Colorado". December 29, 2016.
8. "OSU football: Mason Rudolph, James Washington confirm they'll return next season". December 27, 2016.
9. "cfbstats.com - James Washington 2016 Player Statistics - Oklahoma State Cowboys". www.cfbstats.com.
10. Ruiz, Nathan (December 11, 2017). "Oklahoma State's James Washington added to senior bowl roster". ajc.com. Retrieved August 27, 2018.
11. "2018 Senior Bowl stock watch: Whose stock is rising and falling after the Senior Bowl?". bloggingtheboys.com. January 28, 2018. Retrieved August 27, 2018.
12. "2018 NFL Scouting Combine: Top Performers". NFL.com. Retrieved August 27, 2018.
13. "Here's the final list of the Dallas Cowboys pre-draft visitors". cowboysfootball.com. Retrieved August 27, 2018.
14. "James Washington, DS #9 WR, Oklahoma State". draftscout.com. Retrieved August 27, 2018.
15. "NFL James Washington -ESPN". ESPN.com. Retrieved August 27, 2018.
16. "NFL Draft Prospect Profile - James Washington". nfl.com. March 1, 2018. Retrieved March 1, 2018.
17. "Oklahoma State WR James Washington : 2018 NFL Draft Scout Player Profile". NFLDraftScout.com. Retrieved May 12, 2018.
18. "2018 NFL Draft Results: Pittsburgh Steelers select WR James Washington with second round pick". Behind The Steel Curtain. April 27, 2018. Retrieved July 4, 2018.
19. "2018 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved May 17, 2023.
20. "2018 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved October 4, 2018.
21. "Spotrac.com: James Washington contract". Spotrac.com. Retrieved August 27, 2018.
22. Adamski, Chris. "Rookie James Washington earns bigger role, 1st touchdown in Game 2 for Steelers". Trib Live. Retrieved October 4, 2018.
23. "James Washington 2018 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 20, 2020.
24. "Steelers defense leads way in 17-12 win over Rams". www.espn.com. Associated Press. November 10, 2019. Retrieved November 10, 2019.
25. "Duck Time: Hodges leads Steelers over winless Bengals 16-10". www.espn.com. Associated Press. November 24, 2019. Retrieved November 24, 2019.
26. "Duck's Dynasty? Backup Hodges leads Steelers by Browns 20-13". www.espn.com. Associated Press. December 1, 2019. Retrieved December 1, 2019.
27. "James Washington 2019 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 20, 2020.
28. Varley, Teresa (August 2, 2020). "Samuels, Washington placed on reserve/COVID-19 list". Steelers.com. Retrieved August 2, 2020.
29. Varley, Teresa (August 7, 2020). "Washington activated from reserve/COVID-19 list". Steelers.com. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
30. "Pittsburgh Steelers at New York Giants - September 14th, 2020". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved September 17, 2020.
31. "Browns vs. Steelers - Game Summary - October 18, 2020 - ESPN". ESPN.com. Retrieved August 31, 2021.
32. Eatman, Nick (March 18, 2022). "WR James Washington Agrees To 1-Year Contract". DallasCowboys.com.
33. Shook, Nick (August 1, 2022). "Cowboys WR James Washington suffers broken foot in practice, expected to miss 6-10 weeks". NFL.com. Retrieved August 12, 2022.
34. Eatman, Nick (August 31, 2022). "Tyron, Washington to IR; Specialists Return To 53". DallasCowboys.com.
35. Ochoa, RJ (December 10, 2022). "Dallas Cowboys roster move: James Washington being activated to official roster from injured reserve". SBNation.com.
36. "James Washington: On way out of Dallas".
37. Citak, Matt (January 11, 2023). "Giants sign WR James Washington to practice squad". Giants.com.
38. "Saints sign former Steelers second-round pick James Washington, per report". cbssports.com. Retrieved May 15, 2023.
39. "New Orleans Saints sign RB Darrel Williams and terminate contract of WR James Washington". NewOrleansSaints.com. Retrieved August 15, 2023.
40. "Colts sign WR James Washington, place DE Genard Avery on injured reserve, waive-injured WR Malik Turner". Colts.com. August 18, 2023. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
41. Stankevitz, JJ (August 29, 2023). "Colts make roster moves to form initial 53-man roster". Colts.com.

External links

• Oklahoma State Cowboys bio
• Media related to James Washington (American football player, born 1996) at Wikimedia Commons