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An intriguing new name could soon become a target if the 49ers are still interested in adding to their wide receiver depth card. According to a report by ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Pittsburgh Steelers wide agent James Washington has informed the team that his client is asking for a trade. While it’s not clear whether the Steelers intend to buy the 25-year-old receiver, it’s clear the situation in Pittsburgh is far from ideal.
The Steelers drafted Washington in the second round of the 2018 NFL Draft in Oklahoma state. Washington quickly found a backup receiver role, starting six games and recording 16 receptions for 217 yards and a touchdown. Then, in 2019, with Antonio Brown forcing his exit from Pittsburgh unexpectedly, Washington found itself in a much bigger role. Appearing in 15 games, making ten starts, he racked up 735 receiving yards leading the team on 44 receptions.
Still, things have not continued to evolve for Washington since then. While appearing in all 16 regular-season games last year, Washington received just seven starts amassing 392 receiving yards and five touchdowns on 30 receptions as rookie receiving Chase Claypool passed him on. the table of depths.
Heading into this season, Washington is firmly anchored behind Claypool, Diontae Johnson and Juju Smith-Schuster on the depth chart. An injury could obviously open up a bigger opportunity, but Washington has no interest in waiting for Schefter’s report.
Questions about the depth of the 49ers receiving the body behind Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel swirled throughout the offseason. After not making a significant upgrade through free agency or the draft, many of those questions continued into training camp. There are several potential viable options on the 49ers roster, including former third-round pick Jalen Hurd and the acquisition of free agent Mohammed Sanu. Another minor addition to the offseason, Trent Sherfield, excelled in the early days of the preseason, arguing for a bigger role in the team’s offense.
However, apparently all of the 49ers’ potential receivers have some injury history. Samuel, Aiyuk and tight end George Kittle all missed at least four games last season, while Hurd missed the last two regular seasons with major injuries. Sanu, who has been the healthiest of the group in recent history, is by far the oldest, turning 32 in August.
Washington’s pedigree and production history would immediately make him one of the most proven receivers in the 49ers depth chart, but perhaps more importantly for the team’s front office. He always stayed on the ground. During his three-year career, Washington played 45 of the Steelers’ 48 regular season games. Going back to his four years of college at Oklahoma State, Washington has never missed a game.
While the 49ers have shown confidence in their receiving group throughout the offseason, a young player like Washington could be exactly the type of player they’re willing to target. Already without a first-round pick in the next draft, the Niners will likely only be willing to step up if it comes at minimal cost. Yet after asking for a trade and falling out of favor in Pittsburgh, it could very easily be the case.
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