Jags not extending Parker Washington before Week 1

Coen also noted that Washington is “the guy right now,” suggesting that his role as the returner could change at some point in the year. Washington returned 25 punts for the Jaguars last season and racked up 341 return yards and two touchdowns on those returns. Coen said the Jaguars will hope to get Travis Hunter involved as the punt returner at some point, but Washington will start the season in the role. Washington profiles as a solid WR2 to start the fantasy season after going for 58-847-5 last year.

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.

DiRocco indicates that Washington is staying on the field for both 12 personnel and 11 personnel packages. He and WR Jakobi Meyers have reportedly led the position group in snaps this summer. Although Washington is dealing with an undisclosed injury at the moment, he is expected to return next week. DiRocco said on Tuesday that Washington has “established himself” as the team’s No. 1 wide receiver, which lines up with what we’ve been hearing all spring and summer.

The Jaguars announced that Washington is day-to-day with an undisclosed injury. Washington will miss the rest of this week, but is expected to return next week. It doesn’t seem like this is anything to panic about just yet. Based on the way Washington finished last season and everything we’ve heard from Jaguars camp this offseason, he has established himself as the top wide receiver in Jacksonville.

Washington has been Lawrence’s “favorite target, and he always seems to be open” DiRocco notes. The Jaguars main pass catchers are pretty close in ADP, with Washington leading the way at WR31 and Brian Thomas Jr. at WR33. This would seem to be an argument to trust Washington as a true WR2/WR3 option — and everything we’ve gotten on Washington this offseason from beat writers has been overwhelmingly positive.

That would mean Thomas is set to play on the outside at the line of scrimmage. Parker Washington will presumably play in the slot with Jakobi Meyers and Travis Hunter fighting for flanker duties. As Wolfe notes, Liam Coen learned last year that going over the middle of the field and taking hits isn’t BTJ’s thing. Instead, he will likely be tasked with winning deep and beating man coverage. Wolfe noted Liam Coen’s roots in the Rams’ offense and compared BTJ’s role to that of Brandin Cooks and Sammy Watkins when they played in LA. Cooks topped 1,200 receiving yards in his first season with the Rams but fell below 600 in his second and final season with the team. Watkins, meanwhile, played just one season in LA and was also held under 600 yards. All signs point to Washington being the team’s No. 1 receiver this year.

Washington seemingly has decent odds of being the Jaguars’ most efficient target earner this season. Does that mean he will be the most productive wide receiver? Not necessarily, but it is possible. The Jags ranked third in 11 personnel rate last year, and 18th in 12 personnel. Jags coach Liam Coen wants to increase the latter rate, but has an embarrassment of riches at wide receiver. Washington logged 300-plus snaps both in the slot and on the perimeter last year. He can play both roles. If they do increase 12 personnel, and he can earn even a rotational role in that package, returning value as a WR3 with positively volatile showings is absolutely in play. Otherwise, he might be best viewed as a PPR FLEX.