Which Team Could Pick Darnell Washington In The 2023 NFL Draft?

The 2023 NFL Draft is a few months away, but the hype around the draft class is building. Last year’s tight end class was one of the weakest in recent memory.

However, that won’t be the case this year. We could see three tight ends get picked in the first round, with Notre Dame’s Michael Mayer and Utah’s Dalton Kincaid leading the way.

Yet, potentially the most talented tight end this year is Darnell Washington. The Georgia Bulldogs have the past two National Championships, in part because of their tight end.

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What Did Darnell Washington Do In His College Career?

On paper, Washington doesn’t have eye-popping numbers. He had only 45 receptions for 774 receiving yards and three touchdowns in his three-year college career. Over the first two years of his career, the tight end had only 17 receptions for 320 receiving yards and one touchdown in 12 games. However, he had a career year in 2022 with 28 receptions for 454 receiving yards and two touchdowns.

Washington made his biggest impact was in the running game. The massive tight end blocks like an NFL-level offensive tackle. He will step in as a rookie and make a solid running game into an elite one.

According to PFF, Washington had an 81.2 run-blocking grade and only penalties during the regular season in 2022.

Which Team Could Pick Darnell Washington In The 2023 NFL Draft?

Mayer and Kincaid are considered first-round locks by most draft experts. However, the growing sense around the NFL is that Washington will also be a first-round pick in April.

The last time we had three first-round tight ends was in 2017 with O.J. Howard (19th overall), Evan Engram (23rd), and David Njoku (29th).

Washington could go as early as 10th overall to the Philadelphia Eagles. The NFC Champions love their tight ends and could pair Washington’s elite run-blocking abilities with Dallas Goedert. However, a more likely landing spot is the Jacksonville Jaguars, with the 24th overall pick.

Engram is a free agent and might find a better offer on the open market. Even if the veteran returns, he is more of a glorified wide receiver than a traditional in-line tight end. Jacksonville could draft Washington to fill the blocking role while giving Engram even more snaps in the slot next year.

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