5 teams that could trade for Pittsburgh Steelers WR James Washington

Atlanta Falcons

The Atlanta Falcons aren’t ready to start their rebuild just yet. After Matt Ryan’s recent contract extension, the team really can’t get out of his deal until the 2023 offseason without taking some substantial dead money hits.

Because of this, the Falcons are looking to stay competitive with Ryan at the helm, and a good 2021 draft could prove to bolster their roster this season. Though the team landed generational tight end prospect Kyle Pitts with the 4th overall pick this year, they also traded All-Pro receiver, Julio Jones, to the Tennessee Titans.

Trading for a player like James Washington isn’t even going to begin to make up for the loss of Julio, but it’s a step in the right direction. Calvin Ridley was one of the best number two receivers in the league last year, and he could be a legitimate number one threat for Atlanta, but the depth behind him is atrocious.

Despite 10 receivers currently on their roster, none of them have a proven body of work in the NFL, and Russell Gage is the only wideout outside of Ridley with any sort of NFL production. Washington could easily become the number two or three receivers for the Falcons and give Matt Ryan an intermediate and deep threat next season.

It’s unlikely that James Washington would actually be dealt before the season. However, with other young receivers on the roster soon in need of contract extensions, the Steelers have just one year left with Washington. Trading him now could make sense, and these five teams should come calling.