Darnell Washington, TE (Georgia)
A walking mountain of muscle
After what feels like years, we’re finally mere hours away from the NFL Draft. In celebration of this wonderful time of year, I decided I’d crank out one last Draft Profile to round my number up to 40 and ensure I wrote at least one for every position I scouted. When deciding between TEs, the choice was easy as a fictional comp for Darnell Washington jumped into my mind almost instantly when I realized there is a fictional character that possesses the sheer strength and raw upside necessary to be connected to THE Darnell Washington.
COLLEGE CAREER OVERVIEW
In high school, Darnell Washington excelled as a dual-sport athlete and was a key player on the varsity basketball team, earning an impressive 11 points and 12 rebounds per game during his junior year. With a 4-star rating from ESPN and a 5-star grade from 247 Sports, he was highly sought after by college recruiters and ultimately chose to join the Georgia team.
During his freshman year in 2020, Washington appeared in 10 games for the Bulldogs and hauled in 7 receptions for 166 yards, boasting an impressive average of 23.7 yards per catch. However, his QB rating when targeted was lackluster at 59.3.
The following year as a sophomore, Washington played in 11 games and hauled in 10 catches for 154 yards, averaging 15.4 yards per reception, and scored one touchdown. He also showed excellent pass protection skills, not allowing any pressures or sacks.
As a junior in 2022, Washington played in 13 games and significantly improved his stats with 26 catches for 417 yards, averaging 16.0 yards per catch, and scoring two touchdowns. His QB rating when targeted was notably high at 105.9.
STRENGTHS
The legendary quote “Do you think God stays in Heaven because he too lives in fear of what he’s created” from the hit film Spy Kids 2 was written with Darnell Washington in mind. Standing at a massive 6'7" and weighing in at 270 pounds, Washington possesses elite height, frame density, and length. His massive physique allows him to absorb and withstand contact as a pass catcher and dominate opponents in all aspects of the game. While his size may limit his mobility to some extent, Washington still displays glimpses of above-average athleticism for a player of his magnitude. In open space, he exhibits solid long-strider acceleration and can quickly redirect upfield as a RAC threat, showcasing good burst at times. He also possesses enough speed to sneak up seams and serve as a safety blanket for his team, as shown by his 40-yard dash time that ended up in the high 4.6s. Though he requires some room to reach top speed, he remains agile and can even hurdle defenders with ease, quickly regaining his footing afterward.
Washington's physical attributes are undoubtedly impressive, but it's his instincts that make him a valuable asset as a receiver, especially when paired with his size. He effortlessly snags mid-stride passes while tracking across the middle of the field, and he can seamlessly continue his stride while catching short passes. Washington demonstrates quick body adjustments to catch off-target throws and efficiently resets his feet to make the most of his RAC opportunities. His height also enables him to extend beyond his frame and contort for high throws, and he can make diving catches for low passes while maintaining ball control. Additionally, Washington has a natural ability to high-point passes and possesses excellent timing. He also has stifling hand strength, which enables him to secure challenging throws even when covered by defenders. While his technique could use some improvement, he can still effectively guide passes when presented with RAC opportunities. Though not a natural separator, Washington has a good sense of awareness and can locate soft spots in zone coverage over the middle of the field.
Washington possesses an exceedingly physical playing style. As a relentless competitor, he effectively utilizes quick swims and swipes to beat jams off the line and can overpower defenders in press coverage with his length and play strength. When running upfield, he uses his length to compound separation and create a barrier between himself and any oncoming defensive backs. After the catch, Washington's physicality becomes even more evident as he bulldozes through defenders with ease. He's nearly impossible to bring down on first contact, effortlessly shaking off lighter defenders and churning through arm tackles while maintaining his balance. Even when fully wrapped up, he can drag smaller defenders upfield by churning his legs. Washington consistently finishes forward as a runner, picking up significant yardage after contact, and employs proactive stiff arms to fend off potential tacklers and remain upright.
Above all else, Washington is a terrifying blocker. He's an aggressive and incredibly strong player, and he is able to use his leg drive and strength to move defenders out of running lanes and onto the ground. As a blocker, he has a tenacious mentality and always follows through on his blocks. He's an efficient lead blocker, moving downfield with urgency and using his upper body strength and power to throw defenders to the ground. Despite his size, Washington plays with good pad level and can stack blocks when moving upfield. He generates a remarkable amount of power with minimal strain and has a strong grasp of leverage and angles. He can pivot around blocks while maintaining leverage in order to seal off defenders. In addition to his run-blocking skills, Washington is also an excellent pass protector. He squares up against defenders and has incredible grip strength, which allows him to anchor himself and stymie rushing defenders.
WEAKNESSES
Unfortunately, our glorious King Darnell Washington has some imperfections. Despite possessing elite size and many other redeemable traits, Washington's functional athleticism on the field remains a significant concern. His lack of elite initial burst and long speed limits his ability to generate big plays through tight seams. His average burst makes it difficult for him to stay ahead of receivers when lead blocking and his acceleration is not enough to pressure defensive backs in the open field, which leads to a slower pace. His size and build make him a rather stiff and awkward mover in space, and while his long strides help him cover lots of ground, he is ultimately more of a linear athlete. Washington struggles to vary his strides in open space, and his stiffness in the hips leads to limited short-area movement. Additionally, his change of direction is below average, often requiring him to gather himself with multiple steps and reset his base before changing course.
Due to his athletic profile, Washington's potential as an independent route runner is somewhat limited. Despite being a towering mismatch, he lacks natural suddenness and foot speed when making moves at the line of scrimmage. He tends to play with a high center of gravity, which limits his ability to sink into breaks and create separation on releases. Additionally, his average foot speed and size can make it challenging for him to maneuver around the field. Washington's route tree is also somewhat restricted, perhaps in part due to his subpar route-running skills. Although he is effective on drags, slants, shallow crosses, and wheel routes, he struggles with more precise routes like curls and lacks the suddenness and hip sink necessary to execute them effectively. Nonetheless, his size and play strength allows him to make up for his limited separation abilities by inviting contact.
In terms of his receiving abilities, although Washington is a towering mismatch and very instinctive, there is still room for improvement in his hand technique. At times, he can be too top-dominant, which has resulted in drops. Utilizing the diamond technique more consistently would benefit him in guiding passes to a secure catch. Additionally, Washington has displayed a tendency to clap-catch, which is less stable than a more controlled and secure catch.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Washington's impressive physical attributes will make him a highly sought-after prospect in the 2023 NFL Draft tonight for any team seeking a new face at tight end. Washington's receiving skills are highlighted by his dominant catch radius and wingspan, which he combines with top-tier catching instincts, precise body control, impeccable timing, and excellent hand strength. He also possesses the ability to box out defenders effectively. Furthermore, when he has the ball in open space, he can be a devastating force, with his powerful running style making him very difficult to tackle one-on-one. However, despite his dominating frame, Washington's on-field explosiveness is only above average and he lacks elite explosiveness. His linear athleticism and limited hip fluidity are further constraints to his upside as a route runner and separator, which limits his versatility as a player. Nevertheless, his elite blocking ability makes him a valuable asset for teams that prioritize 12 personnel and multi-phase tight ends. Washington's blocking skills are likely to secure him a position on the field early on, and his large frame should prove advantageous in the red zone and short-yardage situations. If properly developed, Washington has the potential to be a dominant player at the next level. And, above all else, the behemoth of a human being will certainly be a fan favorite leaguewide.
Grade/Position Rank: Second Round, TE3
Comparison: Groot from Marvel’s “Guardians of the Galaxy”