Welcome To Our 2023 Rookie Prospect Profile Series!
We’re kicking off this year at Fantasy In Frames with our 2023 NFL Rookie Prospect Profile series, where each fantasy analyst will provide you with a 5-10 video breakdown of each prospect’s overall metrics from college, their strengths and weaknesses, and overall fantasy assessment heading to Combine and NFL Draft season. Once you’re done viewing this article’s comprehensive breakdown, head to our Youtube channel by clicking here and subscribing for more great fantasy football content. Here is Stacy’s breakdown of 2023 Dynasty Rookie Prospect: Darnell Washington!
Player Overview
Darnell Washington is a junior TE from the University of Georgia. Washington has got considerable height at 6’7 and weighs in at a solid 270 pounds. Once drafted, Washington will rank among the largest players at his position in the NFL. Washington will be an asset to any team who needs help protecting their quarterback by helping the offensive line block, but he is also a huge target for quarterbacks under pressure in the receiving game. He doesn’t have significant breakaway speed, but once he’s got the ball in his hands, defenses will need multiple guys to bring him down.
Let’s dive into more about what makes him special.
Player Summary
Darnell Washington, when targeted, has shown over the course of his career in college that he can be an effective weapon in the passing game due to his size, downfield presence, and dependability in catching the ball, evidenced by his low drop %, aDOT, and YAC/Reception.
Unfortunately, not being targeted as much as the other role players at UGA this past season didn’t really do much to paint a good picture for him as one of the potential dominant tight ends in college football. However, his size and efficiency are undeniable.
My player comp for him is Jonnu Smith.
Fantasy Summary
Washington is someone who, for fantasy purposes, is very draft dependent. If he lands a run-oriented team that utilizes play action/ two tight end sets, that would be an ideal environment for him to showcase his receiving ability. If he landed in a situation with a team with a poor offensive line, he could be held in to block more, which would tank his value immediately.
For in-season fantasy purposes, you may be better off drafting Washington in a best ball format where you can draft your team and not worry about setting a lineup week to week and hope for upside. In dynasty leagues, his upside and scarcity at the position make him a late 2nd to early 3rd-round pick if he finds himself in a good landing spot and a last-round pick if he doesn’t.