New York Giants

Giants WR Corey Washington impresses during first week of OTAs

Published May. 31, 2015 6:41 p.m. ET

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Stop me if you've heard this before--New York Giants wide receiver Corey Washington is turning heads during practice time again. Washington first caught the attention of Giants fans during training camp last offseason when he consistently performed as one of the team's best wide receivers during many practices. Washington's success in practice then translated to the playing field. He caught a touchdown pass in each of the team's first four preseason games, and he was at it again during the team's first set of OTAs on May 26th through the 28th.

He made another few highlight catches during practice--you know the ones where he uses his 6-foot-4 frame to come down with the pass. He caught the attention of Giants.com writer Dan Salomone--the only media member with access to all three of the practices.

If Washington wants to find playing time in 2015, the first thing he has to do is prove he can be an asset on special teams. In December, Giants head coach Tom Coughlin explained that this was the key factor holding Washington back from playing time despite Victor Cruz's absence.

"My standard operating procedure is that I'd like the fourth and fifth wide receivers to be outstanding contributors on special teams, and we're not there right now," Coughlin told ESPN's Dan Grazziano. "That would help a lot."

If Washington continues to show improvement as a wide receiver, it will gain him some ground. With Cruz's return still up in the air, the Giants have not settled on a third receiver to step when the Giants use personnel package featuring three wide receivers. Last October, Giants wide receivers coach Sean Ryan explained how he can improve in this area.

"He's learning to run an entire route tree," Ryan said to Giants reporters, per Jordan Raanan of True Jersey. "There is growing to be done with Corey. He works on his releases, his routes, his top of the breaks, getting out of those -- things he needs to improve on. That is where he is right now. He's a work in progress."

Washington wins by utilizing his big frame to go up and make contested catches. He showcased these skills in the red zone during the preseason last year, and this is an area where he can help Eli Manning and the offense. Aside from Washington, only starters Rueben Randle and Odell Beckham Jr. have the skill set to make these plays. This is also the area that Victor Cruz pointed to last preseason when asked about Washington's impressive production.

“He’s physical, he’s big, he can go up and make that big play over the top — it’s something he’s honed in on,’’ Cruz said to Newsday's Tom Rock last August. “It’s good to see his growth from the first day he got here to now and we’re excited about it.’’

If Washington keeps this up throughout the offseason and Cruz's rehabilitation lasts into late August or even September, Washington can carve out a role. The Giants can look to use Washington as an outside wide receiver in 11 personnel packages that feature Randle across from him and Beckham in the slot. This is likely the team's ideal red zone package until Cruz proves to have returned to form. Keep an eye on Washington's progress through the next few OTAs and eventually into training camp.

(h/t New York Giants)

Photo Credit: Thomas J. Russo/USA TODAY Sports