Next Up: New York Giants Training Camp Preview Features TE Theo Johnso FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Casey Washington, rookie receiver for the Atlanta Falcons, found himself behind a microphone with cameras capturing his every word. Gesturing with his left arm towards a seated Drake London, Washington expressed his awe during last week’s Falcons’ minicamp: “Drake London, sitting over there. Like, that’s my teammate. It’s still crazy.”
Unbeknownst to Washington, London, now talking on his phone after practice, had just praised Washington moments earlier: “He’s been killing it out there. He’s been doing his job. Fitting in really, really well.”
This anecdote encapsulates Washington’s start with the Falcons – a mix of admiration and commendation from his peers.
Drafted in the sixth round from Illinois this April, Washington has impressed early in Atlanta’s OTA and minicamp practices, which concluded informally on June 11 at Flowery Branch.
Since rookie minicamp began on May 10, Washington has established rapport with first-round quarterback Michael Penix Jr., whom he had followed closely during the college football season.
The 23-year-old receiver remains in awe of his NFL surroundings, feeling nerves when encountering four-time Pro Bowl quarterback Kirk Cousins in team hallways.
Despite being over a month into his professional career, Washington still finds the NFL thrilling and surreal. He expressed, “Still being here, you would have thought by this point maybe I settled in and it’s normal for me now, but this is still pretty new.”
Standing at 6-2 and 200 pounds, Washington grabbed attention with a strong senior season, highlighted by a 39.5-inch vertical and a 4.46-second 40-yard dash at his pro day, showcasing his athletic prowess.
Through the first nine games of the 2023 season, Washington recorded 27 receptions for 295 yards. His standout performance came in the final three games, where he tallied 22 catches for 375 yards and four touchdowns, including a career-best outing of nine receptions, 218 yards, and three touchdowns in his last game for the Fighting Illini.
Falcons receivers coach Ike Hilliard acknowledged Washington’s promising start but emphasized the need for continued improvement and consistency: “You either get better or worse in this league. We want to see him correct mistakes and grow daily.”
Starting with the third and fourth-string offenses in OTAs, Washington quickly progressed to working with the first and second-team units, catching passes from Cousins and Penix.
Hilliard believes this progression, orchestrated by Falcons head coach Raheem Morris, has been instrumental in Washington’s development and understanding of different game scenarios.
Looking ahead, Hilliard anticipates that Washington’s toughness and aggressive playing style will shine once the team transitions to padded practices during training camp in late July.
As Washington prepares for the upcoming six-week break before training camp, he remains focused on refining his technique, studying the playbook, and maintaining peak physical condition.
Washington views the break as a period to enhance his readiness and return stronger for the challenges ahead, determined to make a lasting impact with the Falcons this season.
Where Washington stands by Week 1 remains to be seen, but Morris emphasized the importance of continued dedication during the break, emphasizing that hard work during the offseason often translates to success during the season.
