Darnell Washington 2023 NFL Draft Profile
Some of the more uneducated NFL Draft experts will tell you that this is a historic tight end draft. The truth of the matter is, it’s filled with high upside gambles and this one tops the list. Darnell Washington is the definition of a freak but how will he fit in at the NFL level? Let’s go over everything you need to know with the Darnell Washington 2023 NFL Draft profile.
Washington just competed at the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine and blew it out of the water in a good way. 6-foot-7, 264, and ran a 4.64. It’s just not something a human should be able to do at that size. Washington also ripped out 23 reps on the bench with over 34-inch arms. He also has massive 11-inch mitts and did well in both jumping events.
There may be a boom or bust element here but the floor is relatively high. We know at minimum that Washington will be a force in the run game. Very prideful blocker just as George Pickens was a year ago. The only difference is Washington is legitimately an additional swing tackle on the field. Wasington should be a dominant run blocker at the next level and showed on numerous occasions that ability to push defenders off the ball when called upon.
The biggest worry here is simply the sample size. Then again, it’s probably best to just recognize that Georgia has better players than everyone so there isn’t a need to worry. Washington would have been the starter at any other college in America. He just so happened to play for Georgia where they have Brock Bowers who is a slam dunk first round pick next year.
The recruiting background also helps Washington’s case. The Las Vegas native was a top 25 recruit in the 2020 cycle. It’s not like Georgia found some freak and molded him into a tight end. Recruiters have been on this trail for a long time so there is a track record here.
In 2022 Washington finished the season with 28 receptions for 454 yards and two touchdowns. I’m not sure anyone should get their panties in a bunch about the overall numbers. You’re talking about a run heavy offense while playing second fiddle to Bowers. The flash plays were on display all season long. Blowing up dudes in the run game, high pointing balls in the red area, and even hurdling fools in the Oregon game.
I have Washington as TE1 for the 2023 NFL Draft and I’m not sure it’s close. This pick is still a bit of a gamble simply because tight ends take time to develop and the pure production isn’t on his side. I would feel very comfortable taking Washington anywhere in the second round to eventually become my starting tight end.
Either way, I can promise you that he will be better than Darren Fells who that idiot from NFL.com Lance Zierlein compared him to. You didn’t think I would forget that Zierlein compared Pickens to Josh Reynolds a year ago, did you? He’s so bad at his job it’s comical!
