Former Falcons castoff is taking advantage of a second lease on life elsewhere

For as stiff as the Atlanta Falcons' wide receiver competition is currently, Casey Washington was never going to break this one open. The fact that the Falcons released him during OTAs, before the competition could ever begin, should tell you everything you need to know about this new regime.

Washington displayed flashes of promise across his two seasons in Atlanta, but he was a healthy scratch late last season in a receiver room desperate for contributors. That was always going to be the nail in the coffin for him, but he's enjoyed a mini-comeback with the NFC South rival Panthers.

The 25-year-old signed with Carolina early in training camp after they lost rookie Chris Brazzell II to season-ending LCL surgery. They were in desperate need of insurance at the receiver position, and much to the surprise of Falcons fans everywhere, he's been taking advantage of the opportunity.

Casey Washington has enjoyed a productive summer with the Panthers

In two preseason games with the Panthers, Washington has caught nine of 11 targets for 91 yards and a touchdown where he did a nice job breaking a tackle in Carolina's preseason opener against the Jaguars. And as wild as it sounds, he's been one of the NFL's most productive WRs in preseason.

The 2024 sixth-round pick currently ranks 12th in the NFL in preseason receiving yards, while his nine receptions are tied for seventh-most in two preseason games. It seems as though that as the Panthers embark on his season finale, he's auditioning to re-establish himself as a quality depth WR.

It's hard to say the Dirty Birds should regret releasing Washington when players like Vinny Anthony II, Chris Blair, and Juice Wells Jr. have impressed this summer, but it's nice to see him thriving with his new team--since he could be giving himself a real opportunity to make Carolina's final 53-man roster.

The Illinois product got a couple of starts for the Falcons last year and even started the year as their WR3, but he would be the Panthers' WR5 or WR6. He'd be behind Tetairoa McMillan, Xavier Legette, Jalen Coker, David Moore, Brycen Tremayne, and potentially Jimmy Horn Jr. and John Metchie III.

The uphill battle to make their roster--even without Brazell-- will be steep, but the Illinois product is quietly placing himself in the best possible position to make their roster. He's impressed in the summer, and even if he doesn't crack the roster, perhaps a spot on the practice squad is still in play.

And if the Panthers allow him to stick around long enough, Casey Washington could have a chance to exact his revenge on the Falcons for letting him go.

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