Training camp risers to target at the end of your fantasy football drafts
By Raju Byfield
Fantasy Football Camp Impact: James Washington (WR – PIT)
A breakout game catching passes from his college quarterback Mason Rudolph has James Washington looking like the favorite to win the number three receiver role for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Washington went off for 84 yards and a touchdown off of four receptions in the Steelers first preseason game.
There is a legitimate battle for the number three receiver spot as Diontae Johnson had been making some waves in training camp, so much so that Amber Theoharis suggested that some in the Steelers organization had Johnson ahead of Washington. Johnson was also named a surprise offseason standout candidate for the Steelers by ESPN.
The Steelers led the league with 689 pass attempts in 2018 and have 226 targets available from last season team. Washington is a talented receiver who can win downfield despite a ‘slower’ 40 time of 4.54 seconds.
He has good stem to his routes, and is able to effectively stack opposing defensive backs. He has spent a year learning the Steelers system and due to Pittsburgh’s tendency to slow play the majority of their rookie receivers, was always the most likely candidate to step up as the number three receiver over Johnson.
The 50th receiver off the board in redraft leagues, Washington has an excellent chance to be an ADP value this season. Everyone knows Donte Monrief will not see the 169 targets Antonio Brown saw last season, so there is going to be plenty of leftover targets for players like Washington, Jaylen Samuels, and Vance McDonald to soak up.
Consider Washington an upside bench stash that can be had around pick 11.05 in your fantasy drafts. Destined to become a star when Mason Rudolph takes over as the Steelers starting quarterback, Washington could return WR3 value this season. However playing in a role that will see him fifth in targets some games, he is likely to be an inconsistent matchup based play.