James Washington was the 2017 Fred Biletnikoff winner for the college wide receiver of the year. Can he translate his skills to the NFL? Does he fit on the Chicago Bears?
James Washington played all four years at Oklahoma State. He did not see the field much as a freshman, but put up 456 yards and six touchdowns. From there, he took off. He has compiled over 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns in each of the past three seasons, last year topping 1,500 and 13. Over the past two seasons, he caught over 70 passes as well. He went into his senior season as the best receiver and the country, and proved it, winning the Fred Biletnikoff award for the most outstanding wide receiver.
However, stats never tell the whole story in college. Does his skill set translate to the NFL? Could he find his way onto the Chicago Bears?
Measurables:
Age: 21
Strengths:
Washington is a big play threat. He can do it in a variety of ways. His most outstanding feature is his catch radius, and ability to track down passes. Errant passes down the field can run down by Washington and caught while still in stride.
The long pass below is well under thrown. However, Washington uses the bas pass to burn the cornerback inside and take off for the end zone.
On the play below, he gets his arm held, and still tracks down an undethrown pass. His arm his held, he slows down bumps into the cornerback again, and still hauls in the pass. This is a player you want on your team.
He does a really strong job of adjusting his stride lengths and speed to track passes down the field and make his quarterback look more accurate. He also does it with his long arms and extended catch radius. If the ball is in his area, there is a good chance that he comes down with it.
Washington can also break plays open with the ball in his hands. He has a very thick build and is tough to bring down in the open field. That, combined with shiftiness and deep field speed is what makes him a threat in most aspects of the game.
Weaknesses
Washington does not have an expanded route tree. He does not run a lot of routes, and his plants and breaks are not the most fluid. He rounds off a lot of his routes, and will not create the same separation in the NFL. He also has had some fumble issues and is stronger outside down the field than he is going over the middle. That combined, with average at best run-blocking can add a few questions to a high-end receiver prospect.
Pro Comparison
Steve Smith Sr.
Washington is a tough player to compare to. Mainly because his running back like build combined with his DeSean Jackson-like deep tracking and his Marvin Jones-like ability to win in the air makes him a cross-breed. He is a different player to evaluate, and his tape sort of surprises you. It is unfair to put expectations of a potential Hall of Famer on him. However, that is the best way to describe him. Washington plays bigger than his size. He wins deep. He is a technician in his ability to track the ball and create separation with the ball in the air.
A more fair comparison would be a mix of Pierre Garcon, DeSean Jackson, and Marvin Jones together. He features some of the finer things of each other traits and blends them together nicely. That is the type of wide receiver that he can be at the next level. That is what he can bring to whichever team is willing to bet on him.
Fit for Chicago?
The Chicago Bears need a big play weapon on offense. They need someone with speed and someone who demands respect. A big, strong and durable weapon on the outside. They could be in the market for Washington. However, not in the first round. They are picking too high, and he is better suited in the middle or late part of the first round. Heck, Mel Kiper talked about him slipping into the third round.
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However, if the Bears could find an edge rusher early, and Washington was able to slip into the early portions of round two, he would be a welcome addition to the Chicago Bears. He could slide in on the outside opposite of Cameron Meredith. His presence on the field makes life easier for players such as Meredith and Kendall Wright. They can both operate with the space of the added deep threat. It would be a great fit for the offense, and in the second round, a steal of an addition.