He’s real and he’s spectacular.
The Man Mountain. The biggest Dawg. Big 0.
All of these monikers and more have been attached to the comically large Darnell Washington, who at 6 foot 7 inches and 264 pounds dwarfs the competition more often than not.
Washington starred at the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine, turning heads across America by running a 4.64 40 yard dash and posting a 9.87 Relative Athletic Score. Washington also posted a 31 inch vertical and 10 foot 2 inch broad jump, showcasing the athleticism combined with size that makes him a nearly unique prospect.
Washington attended Desert Pines Highschool in his hometown of Las Vegas, Nevada, and played highschool football there. A highly touted five-star recruit, Washington elected to head across the country and play tight end for the university of Georgia.
In college, Washington made an instant impact for the Dawgs, putting up 166 yards on seven receptions in his freshman season. In his sophomore season, Washington was a key part of Georgia’s first championship squad since 1988, and added 145 yards on 9 receptions and one touchdown. In his junior and final season, Washington played a major part on yet another championship caliber team, racking up 454 yards and two touchdowns on 28 receptions.In recognition of his success, Washington was named to the second team All-SEC.
Washington’s receiving stats won’t blow the average reader out of the water, but in a crowded Georgia tight end room that included arguably the best tight end in the country in Brock Bowers along with several young highly touted recruits, Washington still managed to stand out. He shows plenty of potential in the receiving game on tape, but Washington’s blocking is what truly sets him apart.
Washington used his size, strength and speed to bully defenders in run and pass blocking throughout his time in college. A teammate once described him as an “extra offensive lineman”. Washington was one of only five college players last season to grade above 80 in both receiving and blocking in Pro Football Focus’s grades.
And for Washington, this is only the beginning.
“I feel like I’m only scratching the surface,” Washington told the media at the 2023 NFL scouting combine. “I feel like I’m a good blocker, and I could turn into a great blocker. I feel like I’m a good athlete, currently, and I feel like I’m going to turn into a great athlete… I feel like I’m the most unique tight end in the draft.”
“I feel like I’m only scratching the surface… I feel like I’m the most unique tight end in the draft.”
-Darnell Washington
“The tight end group as a whole is spectacular, but Washington may have the highest ceiling,” ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr wrote in a mock draft. “At 6-foot-7, 264 pounds he ran an impressive 4.64 40 yard dash at the combine, impressing NFL scouts, who think he could be much better at the next level.”
While the Packers haven’t used a first round pick to take a pass catcher since Javon Walker in 2002, Washington fits the mold that the Green Bay front office has followed in recent years. And, even if the Packers should pass on Washington in the first round, there is a chance the athletic specimen is available in the second round. Will Washington break the trend? Two more weeks till we find out.