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- Nov 9, 2014
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With the our team being full of many holes throughout the roster the team can do many many things with our first pick this year.
I know I'm going out on a limb here so bare with me..
Let's think about what our identity as a team with our leader? We have a dynamic offensive head coach who runs an offense that goes through the run game and play action.
The run game more specifically follows two concepts of Duo and Inside Zone.
Example of Inside Zone:
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LbSYiB_MgGs&t=4s
As you can see our O-Line down blocks down towards the play side
Example of Duo:
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6C8DkHn9qMQ
The Duo concept is used to create double teams at the line of scrimmage, generally with the center and backside guard and the playside tackle and guard.
This was true in 2021 as it has been McVay's entire career with us.
McVay absolutely loves 12 personnel ( 1 RB and 2 TE's) and when he has used it in the past with two decent TE's we used to by far the most than any other team. With Higbee on the roster who is a pretty decent blocker how could we tip the running game towards our favor even more?
By drafting a 6th offensive linemen to overpower the defense when we run 12 personnel!
Enter Darnell Washington TE Georgia Bulldogs.
Darnell Washington's specialty is devastating blocking and catching passes from play action.
6'7 270lbs
A bit of the good and bad with Washington:
Per PFF:
Washington is a unique 6-foot-7, 270-pound tight end. His height and weight don't do justice to just how massive he is. If your offense wants an offensive tackle who can also run routes and make guys miss after the catch, Washington is your man.
It's rare to see a tight end who has just 45 receptions in college be so highly regarded, but that is Darnell Washington's skillset. At 6-foot-7 and 270 pounds, he is a huge athlete who boasted a top-10 run-blocking grade at the position this past season. He can be an intriguing option in the passing game as well, as he averaged 17.2 yards per catch over the course of his college career. On those 45 receptions at Georgia, he forced 14 missed tackles and averaged 7.5 yards after the catch per reception.
Where he wins: Frame
Washington’s size changes the calculus for defenses. He can be a sixth offensive lineman in the run game while also being a post-up weapon against smaller linebackers in the passing game.
What’s his role: Inline tight end
If you’re not one of the run-heavier teams in the NFL, I’d suggest you look elsewhere. Washington’s real mismatch ability comes in the ground game and when running routes off play action. Over half his yards came off play action last year.
What can he Improve: Waist-bending
Washington is never going to look like Travis Kelce as a receiver so putting anything to do with that is insane. He can easily grow into being an actual offensive tackle, though, if he so chooses. To be effective as a blocker regardless, Washington will have to cut out the waist-bending and sink from his lower half.
Per NFL.com:
0-Yard Dash
4.64
Seconds
10-Yard Split
1.57
Seconds
Vertical Jump
31’’
Broad Jump
10’ 2’’
3-Cone Drill
--
20-Yd Shuttle
4.08
Seconds
Bench Press
21
Reps
Washington was rated one of the top 25 recruits in the country after his career at Desert Pines High School in Las Vegas. He started seven of 10 games played in 2020 for the Bulldogs (7-166-23.7) as a true freshman. Washington missed the first four games of the 2021 campaign with an injury from preseason camp but returned to start six of 11 contests (10-154-15.4, one TD) for the national champions. He was a second-team All-SEC selection in 2022 (28-454-16.2 two TDs), starting 14 of 15 games played as Georgia repeated as champs. -- by Chad Reuter
Overview
In-line tight end with rare size and power at the point of attack to help soften defensive edges up front. Despite sloppy overall technique, Washington can be effective at moving defenders when he’s centered on his block. He must improve his footwork and hand usage, as NFL defenders will slip away from his clutches more easily if he’s unsound. He plods into his routes but catches with above-average focus and can be a handful to bring down. Washington could become a dominant run blocker with better technique, which makes me wonder if a team might give him a look at offensive tackle at some point in his career.
Strengths
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xqpdtnCnVRI
View: https://youtu.be/kkwvDSvnTXA
I can't stop thinking about it and with our HC being an ex-TE's coach it seems like a perfect fit. I haven't heard anybody else suggest selecting him for the Rams.
What do you think? Am i crazy?
I know I'm going out on a limb here so bare with me..
Let's think about what our identity as a team with our leader? We have a dynamic offensive head coach who runs an offense that goes through the run game and play action.
The run game more specifically follows two concepts of Duo and Inside Zone.
Example of Inside Zone:
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LbSYiB_MgGs&t=4s
As you can see our O-Line down blocks down towards the play side
Example of Duo:
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6C8DkHn9qMQ
The Duo concept is used to create double teams at the line of scrimmage, generally with the center and backside guard and the playside tackle and guard.
This was true in 2021 as it has been McVay's entire career with us.
McVay absolutely loves 12 personnel ( 1 RB and 2 TE's) and when he has used it in the past with two decent TE's we used to by far the most than any other team. With Higbee on the roster who is a pretty decent blocker how could we tip the running game towards our favor even more?
By drafting a 6th offensive linemen to overpower the defense when we run 12 personnel!
Enter Darnell Washington TE Georgia Bulldogs.
Darnell Washington's specialty is devastating blocking and catching passes from play action.
6'7 270lbs
A bit of the good and bad with Washington:
Per PFF:
Washington is a unique 6-foot-7, 270-pound tight end. His height and weight don't do justice to just how massive he is. If your offense wants an offensive tackle who can also run routes and make guys miss after the catch, Washington is your man.
It's rare to see a tight end who has just 45 receptions in college be so highly regarded, but that is Darnell Washington's skillset. At 6-foot-7 and 270 pounds, he is a huge athlete who boasted a top-10 run-blocking grade at the position this past season. He can be an intriguing option in the passing game as well, as he averaged 17.2 yards per catch over the course of his college career. On those 45 receptions at Georgia, he forced 14 missed tackles and averaged 7.5 yards after the catch per reception.
Where he wins: Frame
Washington’s size changes the calculus for defenses. He can be a sixth offensive lineman in the run game while also being a post-up weapon against smaller linebackers in the passing game.
What’s his role: Inline tight end
If you’re not one of the run-heavier teams in the NFL, I’d suggest you look elsewhere. Washington’s real mismatch ability comes in the ground game and when running routes off play action. Over half his yards came off play action last year.
What can he Improve: Waist-bending
Washington is never going to look like Travis Kelce as a receiver so putting anything to do with that is insane. He can easily grow into being an actual offensive tackle, though, if he so chooses. To be effective as a blocker regardless, Washington will have to cut out the waist-bending and sink from his lower half.
Per NFL.com:
0-Yard Dash
4.64
Seconds
10-Yard Split
1.57
Seconds
Vertical Jump
31’’
Broad Jump
10’ 2’’
3-Cone Drill
--
20-Yd Shuttle
4.08
Seconds
Bench Press
21
Reps
Washington was rated one of the top 25 recruits in the country after his career at Desert Pines High School in Las Vegas. He started seven of 10 games played in 2020 for the Bulldogs (7-166-23.7) as a true freshman. Washington missed the first four games of the 2021 campaign with an injury from preseason camp but returned to start six of 11 contests (10-154-15.4, one TD) for the national champions. He was a second-team All-SEC selection in 2022 (28-454-16.2 two TDs), starting 14 of 15 games played as Georgia repeated as champs. -- by Chad Reuter
Overview
In-line tight end with rare size and power at the point of attack to help soften defensive edges up front. Despite sloppy overall technique, Washington can be effective at moving defenders when he’s centered on his block. He must improve his footwork and hand usage, as NFL defenders will slip away from his clutches more easily if he’s unsound. He plods into his routes but catches with above-average focus and can be a handful to bring down. Washington could become a dominant run blocker with better technique, which makes me wonder if a team might give him a look at offensive tackle at some point in his career.
Strengths
- Massive frame and shredded physique.
- Mismatches linebackers at the point of attack.
- Pure power to torque and displace defender.
- Creates considerable advantage near goal line.
- Size requires careful coverage consideration.
- Able to adjust to off-target throws and catch in congestion.
- Footwork into block fits needs work.
- Gets into blocks with wide hands.
- Waist-bender and head-ducker at point of attack.
- Angles to second level lack accuracy.
- Stiff-kneed, limiting speed to attack seam.
- Unable to sink and break off routes underneath.
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xqpdtnCnVRI
View: https://youtu.be/kkwvDSvnTXA
I can't stop thinking about it and with our HC being an ex-TE's coach it seems like a perfect fit. I haven't heard anybody else suggest selecting him for the Rams.
What do you think? Am i crazy?
