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Jaguars' Parker Washington has put in the work to become WR1
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- Jaguars' Parker Washington has put in the work to become WR1
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Parker Washington gave a preview of coming attractions in training camp, when he was clearly the best wide receiver on the field day on a daily basis, in a position room that included the team's last two first-round draft picks, Brian Thomas Jr. , and Travis Hunter .
Thomas was coming off a 1,000-yard rookie season. Hunter won the Heisman Trophy in 2024 and caught 96 passes for 1,258 and 15 touchdowns with Colorado.
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Washington stuck to a game plan he set for himself during the offseason and with Thomas and Hunter both plagued by injuries and Thomas by drops early in the season, it's Washington who is leading the team in nearly every receiving category.
"I focused on my preparation of just being ready for an opportunity," Washington said Dec. 29 during a Zoom news conference with the media. "I didn't know what was in store this season. I was just putting the work in ... just ready to put my best foot forward, regardless of the situation."
Washington has back-to-back 100-yard games
Washington has a history of exceeding expectations in the NFL.
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Parker Washington looks for more yards after making a reception against the Indianapolis Colts on Dec. 28 at Lucas Oil Stadium.
The third-year player from Penn State was a sixth-round draft pick in 2023 and slotted as a kick returner when he was a rookie. When he did get on the field, he was typecast as a slot receiver.
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However, he continues to elevate his game and his role during the Jaguars' push to the postseason.
Washington posted his second consecutive 100-yard game and third in his career on Dec. 28 when he caught eight passes for 115 yards in the Jaguars' 23-17 victory over Indianapolis , at Lucas Oil Stadium.
He had six receptions for 145 yards the previous week against Denver and leads the Jaguars with 53 receptions for 760 yards and a 14.3 average. Washington's four receiving touchdowns are second to running back Travis Etienne with six.
Washington's size hasn't mattered
Washington is the smallest wide receiver on the active roster at 5 feet 10 inches and 204 pounds. His speed has never been an issue and he's certainly playing bigger.
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The Jaguars can line up Washington anywhere on the field, against any cornerback, and know he will get open, compete for the ball and then make yards after the catch ― such as his 63-yard gain against the Broncos after catching a short pass from Trevor Lawrence .
Washington has nine of the team's 20 longest plays in the past two games.
Washington said getting yards after the catch is "a mindset thing."
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 28: Parker Washington #11 of the Jacksonville Jaguars returns a punt for a touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers during the third quarter at Levi's Stadium on September 28, 2025 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
"First off, make the catch," he said. "But different catches, against different coverages ... [there are] ways that I'm thinking I can get more [YAC]. It's all instincts so I feel like the more and more I like practice it and study it and see other great receivers that do it well and how they do it, I just kind of use that. And then once you get in the game, it's just whatever instinct kicks in."
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Washington has also proven durable, can take shots over the middle and is a willing blocker. He remains a lethal threat as a punt returner , and has two for touchdowns this season and three in the last two years. Washington is sixth in the NFL with 14.6 yards per return and one of five players with two scores.
Liam Coen praises Washington's work ethic
Jaguars coach Liam Coen said the key to Washington's season is his attention to detail in practice and meetings, and the confidence Lawrence has in him.
"He's so reliable as a competitor," Coen said of Washington after the game. "You know where he's going to be. You know what he's going to do. You know the way he's going to prepare throughout the week. Trevor trusts him. There's a trust level there. There's a continuity there. They've been playing together for a number of years now. He has a good football feel, and he's been able to make people miss and have a lot of runs after catch, which really helps your offense."
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Washington said clinching a playoff spot is personally gratifying for him, from a team standpoint.
"Since I got here as a rookie, [I'm] just trying to help this organization turn it around," he said. "It's been lots of glimpses, and we know we've had a special team ... have this staff push us to be better, and it's just cool to see where we're at now. We have come a long way, and we're just going to keep building on that. We're excited and ready to have some fun."
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: How Parker Washington worked his way to Jacksonville Jaguars top WR
