Darnell Washington, TE Georgia: 2023 NFL Draft Profile

Washington was a five-star recruit from Desert Pines High School in Las Vegas, Nev. in the class of 2020

Georgia tight end Darnell Washington is one of the most unique athletes in the 2023 NFL Draft. He should offer immediate upside as a special teams player and blocker, but the junior likely won’t post elite numbers as a pass catcher early in his career.

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Darnell Washington, TE Georgia: 2023 NFL Draft Profile

Classification: Junior tight end from Las Vegas, Nev.

Background: Washington was a five-star recruit from Desert Pines High School in Las Vegas, Nev. in the class of 2020. He was the No. 23 recruit according to 247Sports, No. 32 for Rivals, and No. 24 for On3.com. ESPN ranked him 19th in the nation with an 89 grade out of 100. As a high school senior, Washington led Desert Pines to an 11-1 record, the 2019 NIAA Class 4A state semifinals, and the No. 3 rank in the state. He caught 31 passes for 586 yards and four touchdowns that season. Washington also played defensive end, totaling 15 tackles, including four for loss, and an interception that season. He was selected for the 2019 Opening Finals and the 2020 Under Armour All-America Game. The Las Vegas Review-Journal recognized Washington with the 2018-19 Richard Nelson Courage Award, given to an athlete for overcoming obstacles to achieve athletic success. MaxPreps credits Washington with 36 tackles, including ten for loss, three sacks, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery during his sophomore season and 31 tackles, including nine for loss, two sacks, an interception, and a fumble recovery as a junior. He also averaged 11 points, 12.3 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.2 steals, and one block per game on the basketball team as a junior. Per MaxPreps, those numbers dipped to 6.1 points and 5.8 rebounds per game during his senior campaign. Washington committed to Georgia over offers from Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, Clemson, Florida, Florida State, LSU, Miami, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Oregon, Penn State, Texas, Texas A&M, UCLA, USC, Utah, and other notable Power Five programs.

2022 Production: 15 games, 28 receptions, 454 yards, 2 touchdowns

2021 Production: 11 games, 10 receptions, 154 yards, 1 touchdown

2020 Production: 10 games, 7 receptions, 166 yards

Injuries & Off-Field: Missed four games in 2021 with a foot injury, suffered an ankle injury in the 2022-23 Peach Bowl

Awards: 2022 Second-Team All-SEC

Pros: Special teams experience on the field goal and kick return units, experience playing in the slot and in-line, massive frame with ideal functional strength, appears to have exceptional arm length, imposed his will as a run blocker on Brandon Dorlus (2022), athleticism to operate as the lead blocker on runs and screens, positive examples of excelling as a puller in gap runs, effortlessly seals defenders, overwhelms DBs as a blocker, finishes defenders to the ground, hands pack good pop, anchor and core strength to fall back on as a blocker, maintains blocking effectiveness in pass pro, strength to play through contact early in the route, uses hands and arms to combat early contact, size mismatch versus LBs and DBs, good concentration as a pass catcher, makes adjustments to the ball over and around defenders

Cons: Five career drops on under 80 targets, five penalties committed in 2022, occasionally allows defenders into his chest as a blocker, size creates natural leverage concerns, guides or seals linemen but inconsistent at generating displacement, room to improve framing blocks, ducks head into contact sometimes as a blocker, never a high-volume target, limited ceiling as a volume pass catcher, limited route tree, bull in a china shop as a route runner, more of a one-speed route runner, elements of lumbering in his game, doesn’t generate separation at a high level, limited acceleration into the route, route fakes are slow and mechanical, routes are more rounded than sharp, slow into and out of cuts, doesn’t break many tackles despite his size, chopped down at the legs by tacklers, could lower his shoulder and finish through contact more as a ball carrier

Overview: Washington is unofficially listed at 6'7", 270 lbs. The Georgia product is ready to contribute on special teams and as a blocker early in his rookie season. He has experience playing in the slot but primarily served as an in-line tight end with the Bulldogs. Washington has a massive frame with ideal functional strength that gives him an advantage over most opponents. He appears to have exceptional arm length, which contributes to his commanding profile as a blocker. This past season, Washington imposed his will on defensive linemen like Oregon’s Brandon Dorlus. He effortlessly seals defenders, occasionally finishes defenders to the ground, and shows plenty of pop in his hands. Washington’s athleticism allows him to operate as the lead blocker on runs and screens, and he looks comfortable pulling for gap runs. On the perimeter, Washington’s size and power allow him to overwhelm defensive backs. When out-leveraged or initially beaten, the junior has the anchor and core strength to regain control. His blocking effectiveness translates to pass protection, where he’s able to identify and mirror potential threats. Washington uses his strength, powerful hands, and active arms to combat contact early in his routes. He displays good concentration at the catch point and adjusts to the ball over and around defenders. However, he was never a high-volume target in college and potentially offers a limited ceiling as an NFL pass catcher. Washington needs to diversify his limited route tree. Right now, he still looks like a bull in a china shop when running routes through crowded areas. He’s mostly a one-speed route runner and doesn’t generate separation at a high level. Washington lacks ideal acceleration, and his routes are more rounded than sharp. The former five-star recruit struggles to maintain speed into and out of his cuts. Despite his size, Washington doesn’t break many tackles because defenders know they can chop him down at the legs. The mammoth tight end committed five penalties in 2022. He occasionally allows defenders into his chest as a blocker and frequently loses the leverage battle because of his size. Washington guides and seals linemen but is inconsistent at generating displacement. There’s room to improve his framing of blocks.

Overall, Washington’s unique size profile makes him a hot commodity, but it also limits his upside as a high-volume pass catcher. It’s unlikely he ever reaches the receiving volume and efficiency of the league’s top tight ends. Washington projects best to a scheme that takes full advantage of his ability as a blocker and features him in a complementary role in the passing game.  

Role & Scheme Fit: In-line TE2 in a 12-personnel heavy gap running scheme

Round Projection: Late Second to Early Third

Player Comparison: N/A

Submitted: 02-06-23