Coen confirms Parker Washington will return punts

Coming off a pair of quiet weeks, Washington paid off for fantasy managers early with a 51-yard score in the first quarter. It was somehow nowhere close to his best play of the day. Washington scored his second touchdown on a falling, one-handed grab in the end zone from 27 yards out near the end of the game. The grab was reminiscent of Odell Beckham’s famous touchdown catch. Washington remains the most talented and most involved receiver on the Jags. He will be a high-end WR2 versus the Texans next week.

Washington also added three yards with one carry on the ground. After a hot start to the season, Washington was relatively quiet against the Bengals. The Jaguars receivers combined for just 11 of Trevor Lawrence’s 23 targets and Washington saw three of those. His first reception came in the fourth quarter on a 40-yard catch-and-run that would have sealed the game, but was called back after replay showed he stepped out of bounds after seven yards. Game script and the Bengals’ tight end weaknesses played a factor in this game, with Brenton Strange the primary target on the day. Washington should still be the Jaguars’ No. 1 receiver and is a fantasy WR2 for Week 5 against the Eagles.

It’s Washington’s second touchdown in the Jags’ first three games of the season. Washington caught his touchdown against the Patriots after having an acrobatic touchdown grab called back on a penalty. Having established himself as the team’s clear-cut WR1 — well ahead of Brian Thomas, who had one target in Week 3 — Washington will have a rock solid weekly floor with ceiling to spare in shootout game scripts. Washington should remain in all lineups next week against a middling Bengals defense, in what could be a high-scoring affair between two potent offenses.

Trevor Lawrence, as always, targeted Washington heavily, as no other Jacksonville pass catcher saw more than eight targets on the day. Washington came within half a yard of a touchdown in the first half after scoring in Week 1 against the Browns. Clearly the team’s No. 1 wideout, Washington should have a rock-solid weekly floor with upside to spare, especially when the Jaguars have to operate a more pass-heavy offense. Washington will be a top-15 play next week against the Patriots.

Washington saw elite usage in the first half, making the first Jacksonville catch of the game and ending the Jaguars’ first drive with a diving 30-yard touchdown reception. He followed it up with a one-handed sideline catch on the second drive and tallied five receptions in the first half. His usage was that of a legitimate No. 1 wide receiver for the Jaguars’ fantasy-friendly offense. The game was out of hand in the second half, leading to no more receptions the rest of the day, but fantasy managers will be happy with Washington’s utilization and production as he adds to his elite box scores from the end of last season. Washington is a fantasy WR2 heading into Week 2 against the Broncos.

Per Wolfe, the Jags explored a deal similar to that of Michael Wilson, who just landed a three-year, $75 million extension. The two sides couldn’t agree to terms, and Washington will now start his contract year. It’s a highly risky move for a largely unheralded player who caught lightning in a bottle at the end of last year. Washington caught 29 passes for 507 yards and three touchdowns in his final five games, including one postseason appearance. If he repeats anything close to those numbers over a full season this year, Washington will make far more than Wilson as a free agent next offseason.

Jags GM James Gladstone said last week that the team was open to an in-season extension with Washington, who is set to hit free agency next offseason. Both sides want to get a deal done, but they are clearly still at odds over the details of the contract. Even if it takes longer than expected, it does look like Washington will sign an extension before he gets to test the waters of free agency. Coming off an outstanding training camp, Washington should be treated as a fantasy WR2 for the Jags’ Week 1 date with the Browns.

Washington, 24, is entering a contract year, coming off the best season of his career. He is reportedly expected to be the team’s No. 1 wide receiver. If Washington plays up to that standard, he will unquestionably be able to raise his asking price. Signing him to a deal right now could save the team money in the long term, but the front office evidently wants to see how he fares early in the year. Although this route could be costly, having a true No. 1 wide receiver affirm his financial value with top-tier play is a good problem to have.

After missing last week due to an undisclosed issue, Washington was back on the field Sunday, participating in drills and working in seven-on-sevens. Whatever he was dealing with doesn’t appear to be anything too serious, which is a good sign for the fourth-year receiver who is looking to build on last year’s breakout campaign.

Washington missed this week due to an undisclosed injury, but it doesn’t sound like this is anything to be too concerned about at this point. The fourth-year receiver is expected to make his return to the field next week and should be in position to be ready for the start of the season. Washington is coming off a breakout year in which he totaled 58 receptions for 847 yards and five touchdowns, and it was reported recently that the Jaguars seem “reluctant” to take him off the field, with some believing Washington has established himself as the WR1 for the Jags. He’s sounding more and more like a reliable WR2/WR3 as we enter prime fantasy draft season.