Report: Saints Sign WR James Washington

New Orleans adds another veteran receiver for QB Derek Carr, per reports.

Bob Rose | May 15, 2023

Report: Saints Sign WR James Washington /

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ESPN Insider Jeremy Fowler reports that the New Orleans Saints have signed free-agent WR James Washington on Monday. Fowler had reported over the weekend that the Saints would have Washington in for a visit on Monday, which resulted in a one-year deal.

Washington joins a receiving corps that includes returnees Michael Thomas, Chris Olave, Rashid Shaheed, and Tre'Quan Smith. The Saints also signed Bryan Edwards in free agency and added A.T. Perry with a sixth-round draft choice.

Per John Hendrix of the Saints News Network, New Orleans coach Dennis Allen said this when asked about Washington at the Saints Hall of Fame Golf Classic on Monday:

"You know, obviously he was injured last year, but there were some things we saw previously in terms of speed down the field, a guy that can get vertical into the defense. So obviously, he's a guy we're certainly interested in potentially adding."

The 27-year-old Washington appeared in two games with the Dallas Cowboys last season and did not record a reception. He dealt with a foot injury all year and was released before the end of the season.

Washington was a second-round pick by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2018 NFL Draft out of Oklahoma State. Over his last three collegiate seasons he had 198 receptions for 4,016 yards and 33 scores.

Dec 7, 2020; Pittsburgh Steelers receiver James Washington (13) runs past Washington safety Deshazor Everett (22) on his way to a touchdown. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY

An explosive deep receiver, Washington is also a breakaway threat after short receptions. In four years with the Steelers, he caught 114 passes for 1,629 yards and 11 touchdowns. His best year was in 2019, when he had 44 catches for 735 yards.

New Orleans ranked 16th in passing production in 2022. Thomas has missed 40 of the team’s last 50 outings, but is expected to be healthy in time for training camp. Olave became just the third rookie in franchise history to have over 1,000 yards receiving. The Saints also added QB Derek Carr this offseason.

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