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Oklahoma State Football: James Washington is worth a first round pick

By Andrew Miller

Dec 29, 2016; San Antonio, TX, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys wide receiver James Washington (28) runs the ball against the defense of Colorado Buffaloes defensive back Isaiah Oliver (26) and defensive back Tedric Thompson (9) during the second half at Alamodome. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 29, 2016; San Antonio, TX, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys wide receiver James Washington (28) runs the ball against the defense of Colorado Buffaloes defensive back Isaiah Oliver (26) and defensive back Tedric Thompson (9) during the second half at Alamodome. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oklahoma State football wide receiver James Washington has high expectations entering the 2017 season, so we look at why he’s worth a first round pick.

Last week, we discussed the future of Oklahoma State football quarterback Mason Rudolph in the 2018 NFL Draft. The other OK State top prospect projected as a first round pick in 2018 is rising senior wide receiver James Washington. Rudolph and Washington both announced they would return to Stillwater for their senior seasons before the Alamo Bowl.

Rudolph’s draft stock likely won’t change between the 2017 and 2018 quarterback draft class. His progression to the 2017 campaign determines his final stock in 2018.

Washington is a different story. He projected as a fourth or fifth round pick if he declared for the 2017 NFL Draft. Him returning puts him at the very top of the 2018 wide receiver class.

According to Campus Insiders, Washington is the top returning wide receiver in college football in 2017. That’s high praise considering other receivers like Texas A&M’s Christian Kirk and Florida State’s Travis Rudolph return to college football in the Fall.

The fact that Washington has the ability to explode for way over 100 receiving yards at any time during any week makes him an extremely valuable commodity to NFL teams. His 296 yard performance against the Pittsburgh Panthers in 2016 is a prime example of his week-to-week potential.

There’s no question Washington is the best returning deep threat in college football. Rudolph and Washington can take the top off any defense at any time. However, his inconsistencies with route running outside of slant and go routes present cause for concern. Yet, he improved drastically in that regard last season.

According to Walter Football, Washington projects as a late first round pick, going to the New England Patriots 29th overall in the 2018 NFL Draft.

Furthermore, according to Fueled by Sports, Washington projects as a second round pick, 55th overall.

Next: Oklahoma State Basketball: Predicting Texas Tech

Consensus opinion looks like Washington projects as a top three round pick. In effect, he would likely be the highest OK State alum NFL Draft pick since defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah in 2015.

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