The Best Players to Stash in Fantasy Football From the NFC East
Corey Washington, WR, New York Giants
The Player
It’s not often that wide receivers from Newberry College make waves in training camp, but Corey Washington is proving to be the exception for the second year in a row. At 6’4’’ and 215 pounds with 4.5-second speed, Washington was the MVP of the 2014 preseason and possesses the athletic traits that can turn heads. He once again is having a great spring according to coaches and beat reporters, and his path to a large share of targets doesn’t appear as daunting as it once did.
Washington finished the 2014 preseason with 10 catches for 155 yards and 4 touchdowns, including the game-winning touchdown in four straight games. If there is a clutch gene, doctors should test Washington to see if he has it. He was so impressive that even the old curmudgeon Tom Coughlin noted how impressive he has been for them in offseason work. That’s high praise!
His athletic profile also yields some intriguing comparables.
| Name | Pos | Hght | Wght | 40 yd | 10 yd | Bnch | Vert | 3Cone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rueben Randle | WR | 6' 3" | 210 | 4.55 | 1.59 | 15 | 31" | 6.99 |
| Brandon LaFell | WR | 6' 3" | 211 | 4.58 | 1.55 | 11 | 36" | 6.81 |
| Jordy Nelson | WR | 6' 3" | 217 | 4.51 | 1.57 | 31" | 7.03 | |
| A.J. Green | WR | 6' 4” | 211 | 4.5 | 1.55 | 18 | 34.5” | 6.91 |
| Eric Decker | WR | 6' 3" | 217 | 4.54 | 15 | |||
| Corey Washington | WR | 6' 4” | 214 | 4.5 | 1.56 | 14 | 33” | 6.83 |
The Opportunity
There is no doubt that the depth chart beyond Odell Beckham Jr. is a question mark. Rueben Randle is mediocre every year, and while he put up career best receiving numbers in 2014, his Reception NEP per target actually declined for the third straight year (0.62). His inconsistency on the field led to him actually getting benched twice during the 2014 season, and when Eli Manning is pouting on the field (which is often), you can bet Rueben Randle is one of the reasons.
Victor Cruz is an unknown commodity coming off a torn patellar tendon, a devastating knee injury that NFL players have struggled to return from in the past. And while many have returned to the field, most lacked the explosiveness needed to excel like they once did.
We all know Beckham Jr. is a star, but the door is certainly open for someone to emerge as a consistent second option, especially if Cruz is unable to return to his pre-injury form. Washington is the tallest receiver on the team, and operates as a mismatch both down the field and in the red zone. He is one more stellar preseason away from forcing the coaches to get him on the field.
Eli Manning has demonstrated the ability to throw for almost 5.000 yards and 30-plus touchdowns in a season, and with his second year to grow comfortable in the Ben McAdoo offensive system, there is certainly room for Washington to put up fantastic numbers alongside Beckham Jr.
He has the size, athletic profile and situation to surprise in 2015 and is a player worth monitoring as the preseason approaches.
