Titans First Round Options: Darnell Washington

Could Georgia tight end Darnell Washington be the missing piece in the Titans tight end room?

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The 2023 NFL Draft takes place April 27-29 this year, emanating LIVE from Kansas City, Missouri. As it stands, the Tennessee Titans have one first round draft pick. New general manager Ran Carthon and head coach Mike Vrabel currently hold the 11th overall selection. Over the next couple of months, I’ll be taking a look at some of the prospects who are either rumored to be tied to, have met with, who make sense for the Titans, or who are for some reason being mocked to the Titans even though they don’t really have a need at the position. Whatever – there are no rules here. Today, we’re lookin’ at Georgia tight end Darnell Washington.

I love what the Titans are building in the tight end room so far. They have the dynamic pass-catching threat in sophomore Chig Okonkwo. He was downright electric at times with the ball in his hands in the open field. Then, they filled the ‘blocking tight end’ role with Trevon Wesco, who definitely has those sixth offensive lineman vibes. The missing piece, you could say, is that jack of all trades tight end that can play a more complete game and do a little bit of everything for this team. That’s where the draft comes into play, and specifically Washington, who would be a fine candidate to fill that role for the Titans.

Washington is an athletic specimen. This guy stands at 6’7″ and weighs 264 pounds with an unreal frame and offensive lineman arms (actually his arm length is above average even for offensive linemen). He tested well at the Scouting Combine and has the 2nd highest Relative Athletic Score of all tight ends at the Combine. Washington is an athletic freak and it shows up on the tape, where he’s proven himself as a deadly blocker and a bit of an underrated pass catcher (he did have to share a field with Brock Bowers, who is going to be a first rounder when he hits the NFL Draft).

Washington’s biggest strength as a receiver is his ability to body guys at the point of the catch where you see his basketball background come into play, out-rebounding guys for the ball. He can high point the ball and snatch it out of the air over defenders. To be used primarily as a blocker, Washington does have some acrobatic catches on his tape. That’s where you see the traits he showed off at the Combine show up in the passing game. And, once Washington is in the open field with the ball in his hand, you better call the calvary to bring his big strong ass down.

But, make no mistake about it – the hallmark of Washington’s career at Georgia was just how punishing he was as a blocker. It’s not just about the power, though – this man can block with the technique of a seasoned left tackle. He lowers his pad level, gets his hands on shoulder pads, and keeps his feet moving to drive guys out of the play. I swear he knocked an Oregon player back five feet on a block in that game. Washington went viral at the Scouting Combine for essentially assaulting a blocking sled, but it illustrated just how strong he is when clearing the way for a running back.

I don’t know if I’d say there are real weaknesses to his game – I’d call them “mysteries” because his sample size is smaller because of the timeshare at tight end in the Georgia offense. He’s not shifty, but I can’t imagine drafting a guy that is 6’7″ 264 and expecting him to be a twitchy move tight end. He doesn’t have a nuanced route tree on tape, but again, that’s not necessarily because he’s incapable…it’s about what Georgia asked him to do within that offense. Washington is one of those prospects who just didn’t get the opportunities at the college level, but you could see blossoming into an elite talent at the next level. He’s unproven in that regard, but he has the athletic and physical traits to get there in time.

#11 is way too early for a tight end, but I could see a scenario where the Titans are able to trade back, and if you land a guy like Washington in the 20s, I don’t think you’re complaining about it too much. If they were to end up with a Washington or a Michael Mayer, it would give them a bona fide stud tight end group, one of the best in the AFC. If they can land him at pick #41? Well, all Titans fans should be doing cartwheels.

Further Reading: Darnell Washington sets the record straight at Georgia football Pro Day

2023 TITANS FIRST ROUND OPTIONS

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Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network, and a Dogs Playing Poker on velvet connoisseur. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD, #BeBetter, and ‘Minds right, asses tight.’ “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Nashville, Yankee Candle, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley.

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