Wide receiver Nate Washington has spent the better part of his four NFL seasons buried in the relative obscurity of the Steelers’ passing attack. A forgotten role player hidden behind teammates Hines Ward and Santonio Holmes, Washington enters his first free-agent offseason with a number of factors working in his favor...
 

The 2008 season represented Washington's best statistical season; he set career-highs in receptions (40) and receiving yards (631) while maintaining an above-average YPC (15.8). More importantly, however, Washington proved that he has become a reliable and attractive deep threat to potential suitors. Having struggled with dropped balls in the past, the 25 year-old veteran gained the trust of quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and became a regular deep target in big games.

Not including receivers who may be available this offseason via trade (i.e. Plaxico Burress, Chad Johnson), Washington will be one of the three most sought-after wideouts along with Antonio Bryant and T.J. Houshmandzadeh. With the current demand for homerun threats, Washington could be priced out of the Steelers’ range and playing somewhere else next season. His new venue will be the most important factor in projecting his value for this season.
 

In Pittsburgh, Washington had the good fortune of being the third, often fourth (behind tight end Heath Miller), option in an offense that was not particularly dedicated to the pass. With the type of contract he is likely to demand, much more will be asked of him than was with the Steelers. Of course, this begs the question: can he handle it?
 

Recent history is riddled with marginal receivers who produced big numbers in deep passing attacks and subsequently failed to approach expectations. Bryant Johnson, Nate Burleson, Antwaan Randle El and on and on and on. More so than any position, even quarterback, a receiver’s production is influenced by those around him; there are so many factors that affect his production that it is nearly impossible to project Washington’s 2009 season without knowing where he will land.
 

Assuming he does leave Pittsburgh, which is highly likely but not a lock, Washington’s value will hinge on the team with which he signs. If he were signed as a second or third receiver by a team with an established quarterback, he would be a definite sleeper in 2009. Unfortunately, Washington is more likely to land somewhere like Tennessee, where he’ll be stuck with a marginal quarterback and among receivers incapable of drawing the same attention as Ward and Holmes.
 

The forecast for Washington, then, isn’t particularly optimistic; in the best of scenarios (if, for example, he was signed by Arizona to replace Anquan Boldin), he is a low-end No. 2 receiver. More realistically, however, Washington receives more money than he is worth and becomes an inconsistent No. 3 option next season.

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