The 2023 NFL Draft is finally here, and one of the most interesting prospects entering the league is tight end Darnell Washington. An athletic freak with the ability to dominate as both a pass catcher and a run blocker, Darnell Washington should find plenty of interested teams during the event.
In most years, the Georgia product would likely be the first tight end off the board. However, the 2023 class is loaded with talent at the position, so Washington might have to wait a bit to hear his name called. Michael Mayer and Dalton Kincaid will likely go off the board in the first round, meaning that Darnell Washington will probably have to wait until the second round to find an NFL team.
Darnell Washington, a thread. pic.twitter.com/zJMMFfCdVR
— Nick Penticoff (@NickPenticoff) April 25, 2023
6 Teams That Could Draft Darnell Washington
Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers are going to select Bryce Young with the first-overall pick, but now they need to give him the proper supporting cast to succeed. If the top four wide receivers are off the board, then the team could turn to Darnell Washington with their second-round pick. Hayden Hurst is a fine stopgap, but Washington has the potential to make a Greg Olsen type of impact.
Cincinnati Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals have arguably the best wide receiver trio in football, but that might not be enough to keep up with the elite offenses in the AFC. This team needs some firepower at tight end, and Darnell Washington could be the player to give that to them. While Dalton Kincaid and Michael Mayer are more pro-ready, perhaps Cincinnati decides to shoot for upside and select the most physically talented tight end in the class.
Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys lost Dalton Schultz in free agency, and they have not done anything to minimize his absence. While Schultz was obviously a reliable receiver, this team loves to run the ball, and Darnell Washington is probably the best blocker at his position. The tight end can open rushing lanes for Tony Pollard in Year 1 before developing into more of a receiving threat in 2024 and beyond.
New Orleans Saints
Based on his time with the Raiders, we know that Derek Carr can be dangerous when he has a tight end capable of making plays in the passing game. Juwan Johnson is a fine depth option, but he doesn’t have the same ceiling as someone like Washington. With opposing defenses focusing on Chris Olave and (hopefully) Michael Thomas, Darnell Washington can be a dangerous threat in the seam that could propel this team to a playoff run.
Los Angeles Chargers
The Los Angeles Chargers probably won’t select Darnell Washington with their first-round pick, but if he falls into the back half of the second, then the team should have no problem pulling the trigger on the Georgia product. Los Angeles has a dangerous lack of receiving options behind Keenan Allen and Mike Williams, and we know that Kellen Moore loves tight ends from his time in Dallas.
Kansas City Chiefs
Travis Kelce is phenomenal, but he isn’t getting any younger. While the future Hall of Famer probably has another season or two of elite play left in the tank, Kansas City needs to think about life after Kelce. Darnell Washington would be a perfect pick for this team, as he and Kelce would form the NFL’s best tight end duo since Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez in the short term before he inevitably takes over as the TE1 when age catches up to Kelce.
Main Photo: Joshua Jones – USA Today Sports
