James Washington was the Steelers' leading receiver in 2019 with 735 yards on 44 catches for three touchdowns. He's 23 years old just like JuJu Smith-Schuster and Diontae Johnson, and fits multiple roles for what the Steelers need on offense.
All three of them were selected in the first three rounds of their respective draft classes, which means to secure longterm security with the team, each must fight to show their fit in the offense is more impressive.
Washington's skills are diverse, but he offers a competitive edge that could make him a bigger part of the offense in the coming years.
Washington is a combat catch type of receiver. He's not tall at five-foot-eleven, but he plays like it when he fights for the ball at its highest point. But he's combined that with better footwork to get in and out of his breaks for sharper routes and better positioning.
Watch how he works to get behind Troy Hill on this touchdown against the Rams. He uses a jab step to the inside to back Hill away from the sideline just enough that wen he turns, there's a window for Mason Rudolph to target. He pulls the ball in over Hill while getting his knee in bounds:
Washington wasn't the best at getting separation as he averaged only 2.5 yards of separation per target all season. But he grew in how he got open in 2019 with different skills. Sometimes it's not just about footwork, but how a receiver engages in hand-fighting as they run their route.
Watch how Washington duels with Denzel Ward on a big play. Washington gets a good release into his route but Ward tries to use his hand to punch Washington off his route. Washington counters by knocking away Ward's hand and fighting back without drawing a flag. When the ball arrives, he pulls it in with the other arm:
But Washington's toughness isn't limited to just tough catches. He's been recognized as a good blocker to the point that Randy Fichtner and Mike Tomlin make it a point to rely on that blocking at times. When the Steelers were down to one tight end against the Bengals, Washington had some reps in the role of a tight end.
Watch how he pulls and becomes a lead blocker for James Conner, he doesn't get to lay out anybody but it's an example of the team using him in that role:
Here's an example of when he did lay someone out with a block to help finish the deal on a touchdown by Johnson. Notice how he start by blocking one player and then continuing to look for targets by finishing the play with a pancake in the end zone:
Attitudes like that come from players that aren't shy from doing the dirty work. The Steelers need guys like that as their offense tries to rebound from its worst season under Tomlin. And it's not just about being tough and throwing big blocks on the field, it's also about being a leader and making the right decisions.
When Washington saw Larry Ogunjobe throw a cheap shot on Rudolph at the end of the first game against the Browns, he didn't just run in wildly to further instigate fights in an already wild scene. And it would've been understandable for him to come in fired up to defend Rudolph, seeing that they were college teammates and joined the Steelers in the same draft class.
But Washington does assert himself along with Matt Feiler to stick up for his quarterback and get Ogunjobe away to end the chance of further escalation:
When Ben Roethlisberger returns, the offense will need guys like Washington that can make the big plays and get their hands dirty while also keeping their heads in difficult moments. His grit will make him valuable, and a fan favorite in Pittsburgh.
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