In Week 8 vs. the Packers, the Jaguars’ wide receivers were almost totally wiped out by multiple injuries. Christian Kirk was lost for the season to a broken collarbone, and Gabriel Davis ($5,000; shoulder) and rookie Brian Thomas Jr. ($6,600; chest) both left the game with injuries that have them as game-time decisions for the Jags’ Week 9 matchup with the Eagles. The “next man up” for Jacksonville is second-year receiver Parker Washington ($3,600), who could step into a very productive role in a good matchup this week.
Why Parker Washington matters
Last week after the outbreak of injuries, Washington tied for the team lead in targets on Sunday, finsihing with three catches for 46 yards. He led all Jags’ receivers with a 74% snap share and 46 receiving yards in that contest.
While he did have a highlight punt return for a touchdown earlier this season against the Patriots, he had only totaled three catches for 21 yards in the previous seven games of the season before seeing such heavy inolvement in Week 8.
He hasn’t been in the team’s plans much this season, but he did flash some play-making potential when involved last year. He had 16 catches for 132 yards and two touchdowns last year and finished the year with at least one catch in six straight games.
Depending on the status of Robinson and Davis, he could be the team’s top receiver or second receiver but will be no lower than No. 3 on the depth chart after the loss of Kirk.
What to expect from Parker Washington this week
Depending on his workload, Washington could be poised for a massive breakout like Cedric Tillman had last week. He’s definitely one of the top fantasy football sleepers at wide receiver this week as well, and I included him in my weekly list of sleepers who bring upside at the position.
For DFS contests, he’s amazingly cheap at $3,600 like the NFL $2.75M Fantasy Football Millionaire [$1M to 1st]. The Eagles have allowed eight receiver touchdowns and an average 11.6 catches for 140.7 yards per game, so they rank in the middle of the pack as a matchup. The Jaguars are 7.5-point underdogs, though, so they could be forced to throw more if they play from behind.
Washington is +300 to score a touchdown but his yardage props aren’t available yet since Thomas and Davis are game-time decisions.
The Verdict on Parker Washington
If both Thomas and Davis are out, Washington is a WR3 with a high ceiling that can be started in almost all forward. If both Thomas and Davis are active and 100%, Washington will be best left on the bench until we see exactly what his role is now that Kirk’s out for the year. It gets tricky if one of them sits and one plays or if either is limited. If that’s Sunday’s scenario, Washington will be boom-or-bust with a high ceiling but also a very low floor.
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