2022 Fantasy Upside
James Washington signed a one-year deal with the Cowboys, after spending his first four seasons in Pittsburgh. While not an explosive wideout, Washington did tally 44 receptions, 735 yards, and three touchdowns in his 2019 season with the Steelers. He followed that with a five-touchdown campaign in 2020 that produced three WR14 or better finishes in a four week span. With Michael Gallup sidelined until October, Washington has a chance for sneaky relevance at the critical start of the fantasy season.
2022 Fantasy Downside
He resided in a strong passing attack, led by future Hall of Fame quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. If Washington couldn’t find consistent production in that offense, why would Dallas be different? While he does have a chance to make an early-season impact, he is likely a WR4 behind CeeDee Lamb and rookie Jalen Tolbert when Gallup returns.
2022 Bottom Line
Any receiver in this Dallas offense is worth consideration, but Washington’s season-long ceiling is limited. He is worth a last-round grab for a WR4/5 in deeper leagues, but will fail to maintain season-long fantasy relevance.
Week 10 vs Lions
With Chase Claypool dealing with a toe injury and his status up in the air, James Washington could be thrust into the WR2 role in Pittsburgh this week and, against Detroit, could be in line for a surprisingly good day in Week 10. If you're in need of a deep flex play due to bye week fill-ins, keep an eye on Claypool's status, as if he is out, Washington is a sleeper play this week. Stay tuned.
Week 4 at Packers
James Washington saw a bigger role on offense with the injuries to JuJu Smith-Schuster and Diontae Johnson. He played 66/83 snaps against the Bengals and had three catches. He may be the WR2 in Pittsburgh against the Packers if Smith-Schuster and Johnson can't go. But he's third in the pecking order and Big Ben already has a lot of trust in Najee Harris and Chase Claypool. Washington is a deep play against the Packers.
Week 17 at Baltimore Ravens
James Washington got eight targets last week, catching five passes for 45 yards. He likely would have had a touchdown catch, but was held on the play, resulting in a penalty. Washington has 34 catches for 574 yards and three touchdowns in his past eight games and is the deep threat in this offense. But guessing which Steelers receiver will be the most valuable from week to week is tough. And since it's a small pie, there are better, and safer, options available.
Week 16 at New York Jets
James Washington got a career-high 11 targets last week, catching five passes for 85 yards in another strong outing. Opponents are forcing Devlin Hodges to go deep to the outside and when he does, Washington is typically his target. Don't expect another 11 targets. The Steelers don't want to play that way. But Washington will get two or three deep shots per game. He's worth a shot as a low-end WR3, high-end flex play.
Week 15 vs. Buffalo Bills
James Washington hauled in all four of his pass targets last week for 33 yards, but also drew a pair of pass interference penalties on plays down the field. If he catches one of those rather than drawing the PI, he has a much different day. Devlin Hodges continues to look at Washington as a deep threat. He could draw Tre'Davious White on the outside, but Washington and Hodges have a good connection. He's a flex option this week in what figures to be a low-scoring affair.
Week 14 at Arizona Cardinals
James Washington caught all four of his targets last week for a career-high 111 yards and a touchdown, continuing a recent trend for the second-year receiver. Washington has at least four receptions and/or 69 receiving yards and a touchdown in four of his past five games. He's averaging 19;3 yards per catch this season. Only Kenny Golladay and Mike Williams have been better among receivers with at least 30 receptions. Washington doesn't get volume, but he's producing like a WR3 week in and week out of the past month, regardless of who is at QB.
Week 13 vs. Cleveland Browns
In his past four games, James Washington has 16 receptions for 306 yards and two touchdowns on 23 targets. That includes a line of 3-98-1 last week against the Bengals. Washington is starting to get more looks and is making the most of them. He had three receptions for 49 yards on five targets against the Browns two weeks ago. Washington is a flex option with some upside this week with Devlin Hodges at QB.
Week 12 at Cincinnati Bengals
James Washington has gotten 28 targets in the past five games, including five last week against the Browns, when he caught three passes for 49 yards. With JuJu Smith-Schuster out this week, Washington could get even more this week. It's a bit of a leap of faith, But Washington does have nine catches for 133 yards and a score in the past two games, but against the Bengals, he could be a nice WR3 option. Somebody's got to pick up the slack.
Week 11 at Cleveland Browns
James Washington got a season-high seven targets against the Rams last week and turned in a career day, catching six passes for 90 yards and a touchdown. That's promising. But can you count on it from week-to-week? He got six targets two weeks ago against Miami and managed just one reception. Keep Washington on your radar, but not in your lineup -- for now.
