As unique of a physical build for the position as they come, Georgia tight end Darnell Washington will look to prove to scouts he can transition as a receiving threat at the next level as he enters the 2023 NFL draft.
Here is everything you need to know about the Bulldogs’ big playmaker:
Vitals
Height: 6-7
Weight: 270
Class: Junior
Strengths
Just one glance at Darnell Washington and you will see what partially makes him such an intriguing prospect: his size. At 6’7″ and 270 pounds, Washington is an imposing force right away. He looks like he was built in a factory and his athletic profile does not lag too far behind.
While not heavily involved in the passing game at Georgia, that is not due to a lack of talent, and while Washington does not have elite movement skills or high-end speed he is athletic enough in his body to be considered a threat anywhere on the field and especially in the red area. He uses his body well in boxing out defenders and catches through contact. With the ball in his hands, he is good at turning his body upfield and using his athleticism and size to churn out extra yards including just straight-up bulldozing defenders.
Blocking is where Washington shines most. While he isn’t as foundationally as secure as an offensive lineman, he does use his body well and is often able to match up with edge defenders as an almost swing tackle. He moves well downfield as a lead blocker and is quite the sight to see in momentum running at defensive backs. He is very bought-in as a blocker and gives max effort on each play. He was a key contributor to Georgia’s dominant running attack.
Weaknesses
The lack of production and quickness in the passing game sticks out, and there is legitimate worry that you could ultimately end up with a tight end that is not a functional receiving threat at the next level. Washington will need to work with coaches to become more fluid in his routes and more experienced in the route tree. He is inherently dangerous as a pass catcher, but there is a lot that can still be unlocked.
As a blocker, he still needs to work on fundamentals and at getting better leverage for his size. Admittedly, it is hard to be the low man at 6’7″, but understanding how to use his frame better in the running attack will be of great benefit. He is largely still a raw prospect with a ton of upside.
Projection
Teams will be tempted at the size and athletic ability of Washington from their physical profiles, and he will likely do well in pre-draft workouts to boost him up draft boards. They will likely be hesitant to invest a high pick in a tight end that is not a dominant receiver, but Washington’s athletic profile means there is room to grow and it only takes one team to see that potential and work with him.
Washington is one of the more intriguing prospects in the draft just based on his skill ceiling. His blocking is excellent already as well, and will likely go as high as any other tight end because of it.
Projection: Top 40 Pick
