Why the Vikings should target Jamison Crowder to be their new WR3

Cousins loved Crowder in Washington

From 2015 to 2017, Jamison Crowder was a real weapon for Washington. At the time, Kirk Cousins was the team’s starting quarterback, and he found some solace in his slot receiver.

Crowder was a top-three receiver for Washington in each of those seasons and he was the team’s leading receiver in 2017 with 789 yards on 66 catches.

In their final two seasons together, Crowder received 202 targets from Cousins, which led the team in that span. He never eclipsed 1,000 yards as a receiver, but his role was to be the go-to guy when things got tight.

Cousins has not had a reliable slot guy since joining the Vikings despite their best efforts to find him one. Chad Beebe, Bisi Johnson, and Laquon Treadwell each had some moments, but they never solidified themselves into the role.

In 2015, Crowder played in all 16 games as a rookie and tallied 604 yards on 59 receptions. His two touchdowns were not much, but his role was limited by a pretty fun receiving group that featured Pierre Garcon, DeSean Jackson, and Jordan Reed.

He also spent that season as a return man, averaging 5.3 yards per punt return on 30 attempts. The next season, Crowder upped that average to 12.1 yards per return, and he took one to the crib.

That second season in 2016 saw Crowder’s role take a massive leap as he finished the year with 99 targets, 67 catches, and 847 yards. He also finished the 2016 campaign with a career-high seven touchdowns. He finally proved himself in the Washington offense.

2017, his final season with Cousins, was pretty solid as well. He racked up 103 targets, 66 catches, and 789 yards, but only three touchdowns. He spent one more year in Washington, but he played in just nine games before heading to the Jets in 2019.