Nate Washington...what am I missing? (1 Viewer)

[Ministry of Pain]

Guy is entering his 4th year in the league. He has quietly posted 64 catches, 1,074 yds, and 9 TD spread out over the past 2 seasons playing in limited duty. When I watch the guy I like what I see, and he reminds me of a guy that was buried on the depth charts for awhile but made plays and that is Patrick Crayton for Dallas. I get rzzed all the time in Dyansty because this guy is always on my roster...WR6, WR7...something like that. I can't ever really start him, but I feel like if he got a chance he could do well. And since Pitt drafted Limas Sweed, I'm thinking his time may never come in Pitt.

Steelerland...what are your thoughts on this guy? Does he drop a lot of balls and I am just not seeing that, could never figure out why he was behind Cedric Wilson on the depth charts. Is there a seperation issue when he runs routes? And input would be greatly appreciated.

 

[pecorino]

i've always thought the coaching staff likes him more than they should. he has the ability to make incredible, acrobatic catches and then he'll drop a routine ball. i can't speak to his separation or route running; i haven't watched him that closely. obviously they think he has potential, what with the new contract and all. but i'd be concerned about the early pick of Limas Sweed--looks like Nate is buried at WR#4 again, at least until Ward retires. i personally wouldn't roster him on rosters of size 25 or less.

 

[prymetyme25]

Nate gets open fairly easy and makes some really nice plays but man he just has some horrible drops. I dont think he drops the ball more than any other wr but he just has them at horrible times. Last year I really liked him but never really saw him play other than highlights. Then I watch the games and dropped him immediately. He's very streaky. If he catches his first few balls he good for the game but if he drops the first few he's garbage the rest of the way. JMO

 

[Cookiemonster]

I really don't think Sweed immediately supplants Washington as the #3 this year. Nate is on his last year of his contract, and likely won't be a Steeler next year thanks to the addition of Sweed. FA may treat him a little better in the wallet than the Rooneys probably will, and he should be a #3 again, but w/ a better opportunity to be a #2. I'm not so sure he ever pans out as a #2 though. Like said above, he gets separation, has good vertical abilities and uses his body and hands pretty well (except for the stupid, "what the hell was that?" drops). If you don't like anything better in the WR #6-7 range, I see no problem w/ keeping him.

 

[Godsbrother]

I really don't think Sweed immediately supplants Washington as the #3 this year. Nate is on his last year of his contract, and likely won't be a Steeler next year thanks to the addition of Sweed. FA may treat him a little better in the wallet than the Rooneys probably will, and he should be a #3 again, but w/ a better opportunity to be a #2. I'm not so sure he ever pans out as a #2 though. Like said above, he gets separation, has good vertical abilities and uses his body and hands pretty well (except for the stupid, "what the hell was that?" drops). If you don't like anything better in the WR #6-7 range, I see no problem w/ keeping him.

This quote from Steelers WR coach Randy Fitchner says it all -- Sweed is going to be #3. Moments after they drafted Sweed he said, "It tickles you to death because you're looking at a three group that's really strong and a possibility of Nate Washington being four is really exciting." Like others have said, Washington is good but has had some drops in key situations. He made the most of his opportunity in Pittsburgh and should get a nice contract somewhere else next season. I think he is an okay #3 WR and a great 4th receiver but if someone signs him as a #2 their going to be disappointed.

 

[Maroney=Sped]

I've used him as a WR4 in a start-3 WR, 14-team league. He's good for spot starting, and scores a pretty good number of TD's given his limited action. It would be difficult to do better in deep leagues in such a role.

FWIW, despite his drops his worst receptions-per-targets % is 50%, which isn't bad. People in another thread are slobbering over Demetrius Williams, and he hasn't even achieved 50% in either of his two seasons. Last year, Washington was at 53%.

 

[Cookiemonster]

I really don't think Sweed immediately supplants Washington as the #3 this year. Nate is on his last year of his contract, and likely won't be a Steeler next year thanks to the addition of Sweed. FA may treat him a little better in the wallet than the Rooneys probably will, and he should be a #3 again, but w/ a better opportunity to be a #2. I'm not so sure he ever pans out as a #2 though. Like said above, he gets separation, has good vertical abilities and uses his body and hands pretty well (except for the stupid, "what the hell was that?" drops). If you don't like anything better in the WR #6-7 range, I see no problem w/ keeping him.

This quote from Steelers WR coach Randy Fitchner says it all -- Sweed is going to be #3. Moments after they drafted Sweed he said, "It tickles you to death because you're looking at a three group that's really strong and a possibility of Nate Washington being four is really exciting." Like others have said, Washington is good but has had some drops in key situations. He made the most of his opportunity in Pittsburgh and should get a nice contract somewhere else next season. I think he is an okay #3 WR and a great 4th receiver but if someone signs him as a #2 their going to be disappointed.

That seems like he's talking out of his butt. It is very possible for a rook like him to beat out a fringe talent like Nate, but to say that before he's ever stepped on the same field is pretty premature. WRs have a learning curve almost as long as QBs and TEs, and a rookie WR while good, is still a rookie. I don't think Cedric Wilson is more talented that Nate, and Santonio as a 1st round rook (that they traded up for) didn't even beat him out of the starting lineup right away. I understand Cowher was a little bullish about playing rookies, but there's a reason for that.

 

[Golden Mike Tomczak]

Nates a good but not great WR. Hes capable of making some excellent catches, the knock on him is questionable hands. He's pretty streaky as some have mentioned earlier. I see him as a 4th wideout for the Steelers this year, and probably gone after. He will have a chance to earn his paycheck, but even in a 16 team deep ff league, hes not worth starting.

 

[EBF]

He isn't that good. He's fast, but he doesn't have any special WR skills. Crayton isn't a terrible comparison, but IMO Crayton is highly overrated.

 

[Golden Mike Tomczak]

He isn't that good. He's fast, but he doesn't have any special WR skills. Crayton isn't a terrible comparison, but IMO Crayton is highly overrated.

I'd much rather have Crayton, overhyped or not.

 

[Ministry of Pain]

Nates a good but not great WR. Hes capable of making some excellent catches, the knock on him is questionable hands. He's pretty streaky as some have mentioned earlier. I see him as a 4th wideout for the Steelers this year, and probably gone after. He will have a chance to earn his paycheck, but even in a 16 team deep ff league, hes not worth starting.

Not many WR4s on their team are...And just to also answer your next post a couple down from this one...Crayton was the WR3, then because of Glenn being injured he jumped to #2 for Dallas last season...my beef if I have one is that Nate hasn't had a chance to start yet. Crayton did and he made the most of it, although he had several unforgivable drops including one against the Giants in the playoffs and also a gimme in the CHicago Bears game last season that I would expect any pop warner kid to make. Now I was all over Crayton's tip long before he had a hcance to play the whole season...and my comparison is more based on situation than actually ability form both WR. Crayton in 2005 and 2006 compiled 58 catches, 857 yards, and 6 TD...Nate has done much better than that and seems to be able to stretch the field, almost a HR threat. In fact he would do very well in Dallas.

 

[Phurfur]

Guy is entering his 4th year in the league. He has quietly posted 64 catches, 1,074 yds, and 9 TD spread out over the past 2 seasons playing in limited duty. When I watch the guy I like what I see, and he reminds me of a guy that was buried on the depth charts for awhile but made plays and that is Patrick Crayton for Dallas. I get rzzed all the time in Dyansty because this guy is always on my roster...WR6, WR7...something like that. I can't ever really start him, but I feel like if he got a chance he could do well. And since Pitt drafted Limas Sweed, I'm thinking his time may never come in Pitt.

Steelerland...what are your thoughts on this guy? Does he drop a lot of balls and I am just not seeing that, could never figure out why he was behind Cedric Wilson on the depth charts. Is there a seperation issue when he runs routes? And input would be greatly appreciated.

This is your answer. If you are compared to Crayton what is your upside.

 

[Dirty Weasel]

Nate is entering his 4th season, but he is only 1 year older than Sweed. With Ward and Holmes both at 5'11" and 190 pounds, I think Sweed's 6'3"/215 pound frame will be a welcome target for Big Ben. This will make Nate (6'1"/185) expendable after this season. Sadly for Nate, I don't think he will get enough looks this year to wow the FA market. I think his fantasy value will never be more than a spot starter in a pinch.

 

[Ministry of Pain]

Guy is entering his 4th year in the league. He has quietly posted 64 catches, 1,074 yds, and 9 TD spread out over the past 2 seasons playing in limited duty. When I watch the guy I like what I see, and he reminds me of a guy that was buried on the depth charts for awhile but made plays and that is Patrick Crayton for Dallas. I get rzzed all the time in Dyansty because this guy is always on my roster...WR6, WR7...something like that. I can't ever really start him, but I feel like if he got a chance he could do well. And since Pitt drafted Limas Sweed, I'm thinking his time may never come in Pitt.

Steelerland...what are your thoughts on this guy? Does he drop a lot of balls and I am just not seeing that, could never figure out why he was behind Cedric Wilson on the depth charts. Is there a seperation issue when he runs routes? And input would be greatly appreciated.

This is your answer. If you are compared to Crayton what is your upside.

Really???Some of Crayton's Game Logs over the past 2-3 seasons...

2005: Week 1 @SD 6/89/TD, looked really good but was injured in the game and it lingered for much of the season.

2006: about week 6, some of the highlights include 5/61, 3/69/TD, 4/84, 5/104/TD, 4/68...some very nice production.

2007: 7/184/2TD, 6/73/TD, 5/46/TD, 5/66/TD, 3/42/2TD, 7/65...

Nate Washingotn highlights over the past 2 seasons

2006: 2/32/TD, 3/32, 3/45, 3/68/TD, 3/76/TD, 1/49...later in the year...4/49, 3/78, 2/67/TD...his ypc are pretty high, and he is WR3 at best that year.

2007: 3/60, 1/40, 3/51/2TD, 4/56...last 3 weeks of the season...1/30/TD, 2/50/TD, 5/68.

I think it is a little shortsighted to not at least analyze some of this and see what could happen if this guy ever started. He's 24 years old I might add, lots of WR don't flourish until their mid to late 20s...Crayton is 28 already.

 

[treat88]

Guy is entering his 4th year in the league. He has quietly posted 64 catches, 1,074 yds, and 9 TD spread out over the past 2 seasons playing in limited duty. When I watch the guy I like what I see, and he reminds me of a guy that was buried on the depth charts for awhile but made plays and that is Patrick Crayton for Dallas. I get rzzed all the time in Dyansty because this guy is always on my roster...WR6, WR7...something like that. I can't ever really start him, but I feel like if he got a chance he could do well. And since Pitt drafted Limas Sweed, I'm thinking his time may never come in Pitt.

Steelerland...what are your thoughts on this guy? Does he drop a lot of balls and I am just not seeing that, could never figure out why he was behind Cedric Wilson on the depth charts. Is there a seperation issue when he runs routes? And input would be greatly appreciated.

This is your answer. If you are compared to Crayton what is your upside.

Really???Some of Crayton's Game Logs over the past 2-3 seasons...

2005: Week 1 @SD 6/89/TD, looked really good but was injured in the game and it lingered for much of the season.

2006: about week 6, some of the highlights include 5/61, 3/69/TD, 4/84, 5/104/TD, 4/68...some very nice production.

2007: 7/184/2TD, 6/73/TD, 5/46/TD, 5/66/TD, 3/42/2TD, 7/65...

Nate Washingotn highlights over the past 2 seasons

2006: 2/32/TD, 3/32, 3/45, 3/68/TD, 3/76/TD, 1/49...later in the year...4/49, 3/78, 2/67/TD...his ypc are pretty high, and he is WR3 at best that year.

2007: 3/60, 1/40, 3/51/2TD, 4/56...last 3 weeks of the season...1/30/TD, 2/50/TD, 5/68.

I think it is a little shortsighted to not at least analyze some of this and see what could happen if this guy ever started. He's 24 years old I might add, lots of WR don't flourish until their mid to late 20s...Crayton is 28 already.

I agree. A guy like this represents a perfect end-game pick because he has upside that others won't notice.FWIW, I think Crayton holds similar upside in redraft leagues.

 

[Phurfur]

Guy is entering his 4th year in the league. He has quietly posted 64 catches, 1,074 yds, and 9 TD spread out over the past 2 seasons playing in limited duty. When I watch the guy I like what I see, and he reminds me of a guy that was buried on the depth charts for awhile but made plays and that is Patrick Crayton for Dallas. I get rzzed all the time in Dyansty because this guy is always on my roster...WR6, WR7...something like that. I can't ever really start him, but I feel like if he got a chance he could do well. And since Pitt drafted Limas Sweed, I'm thinking his time may never come in Pitt.

Steelerland...what are your thoughts on this guy? Does he drop a lot of balls and I am just not seeing that, could never figure out why he was behind Cedric Wilson on the depth charts. Is there a seperation issue when he runs routes? And input would be greatly appreciated.

This is your answer. If you are compared to Crayton what is your upside.

Really???Some of Crayton's Game Logs over the past 2-3 seasons...

2005: Week 1 @SD 6/89/TD, looked really good but was injured in the game and it lingered for much of the season.

2006: about week 6, some of the highlights include 5/61, 3/69/TD, 4/84, 5/104/TD, 4/68...some very nice production.

2007: 7/184/2TD, 6/73/TD, 5/46/TD, 5/66/TD, 3/42/2TD, 7/65...

Nate Washingotn highlights over the past 2 seasons

2006: 2/32/TD, 3/32, 3/45, 3/68/TD, 3/76/TD, 1/49...later in the year...4/49, 3/78, 2/67/TD...his ypc are pretty high, and he is WR3 at best that year.

2007: 3/60, 1/40, 3/51/2TD, 4/56...last 3 weeks of the season...1/30/TD, 2/50/TD, 5/68.

I think it is a little shortsighted to not at least analyze some of this and see what could happen if this guy ever started. He's 24 years old I might add, lots of WR don't flourish until their mid to late 20s...Crayton is 28 already.

I had Washington pegged as a starter until Holmes showed up so I do like him. The point of my post was that if his ceiling is Patrick Crayton there isn't allot to be excited about. Right now Crayton is at best a bye week fill in