Pittsburgh Steelers: 3 Standouts from Preseason Week 2 vs. Chiefs

1. James Washington, WR

Optimism is abounding now that James Washington has turned in two weeks of positive preseason play. Right before halftime, he caught a 40-yard pass from Joshua Dobbs. Much like lasts week’s long grab, the ball was underthrown and Washington had to slow down for it.

I can’t wait until it’s Ben Roethlisberger throwing him those passes. At halftime, Washington had three receptions on three targets for 73 yards.

Washington finished the game with four receptions on five targets for 78 yards. He has led the Steelers in receiving yards both Preseason games so far, and it hasn’t even been close. In Week 1, Washington made four receptions on five targets for 84 yards and a touchdown with a long of 43.

In a game where Donte Moncrief fumbled on his first catch and Diontae Johnson muffed a punt return, Washington appeared to be the most consistent Pittsburgh wide receiver. The 2018 second-round pick had a disappointing rookie season, especially when compared alongside to JuJu Smith-Schuster‘s rookie production from 2017. Washington caught 16 passes for 217 yards and a touchdown last season.

So much emphasis has been placed on Washington this preseason because he’s one of the players Pittsburgh needs to step up. Smith-Schuster has never played in a significant stretch of games without Antonio Brown.

Now that Brown is gone, Smith-Schuster will be the one drawing double teams and will have fewer one-on-one opportunities. Some other receiver has to step up and take advantage of Smith-Schuster’s gravity. Ideally, Washington will be the man to make the leap this coming season