Heading into the 2023 NFL Draft, reports began to surface that Darnell Washington could be sliding due to medical concerns. Check it out here
Darnell Washington : Medical | Did get drafted
As a true freshman at Georgia, Darnell recorded 166 yards on seven receptions.
In Washington’s second season he put up 145 yards on nine receptions and scored one touchdown.
This touchdown was the first of Washington’s career and it came in the SEC Championship Game against Alabama.
Washington’s longest gain of the season came on a 32 yard reception against Florida. He appeared in seven games and missed time due to having to have surgery for a minor fracture in his foot.
In the 2022 College Football Playoff National Championship, Georgia defeated Alabama 33-18.
Darnell Washington Medical
Darnell Washington has not found a taker at the 2023 NFL Draft. Reports suggest that teams are concerned about his foot injury and are not picking him.
Coming into the draft this year, Washington was touted as one of the top tight ends for teams looking to boost their offense. However, he slid through round one.
On Friday too, the Georgia player was ignored by franchises. This comes a day after Kentucky quarterback Will Levis had similar disappointment.
Albert Breer reported that Washington is “in play” Friday night. However, WalterFootball.com immediately published a report saying several teams had “red-flagged” the TE and dropped him off the board due to injury concerns.
“TE Darnell Washington is reportedly falling because some teams have concerns with a knee injury,” Adam Schefter tweeted citing KPRC2 Houston.
“So you’re telling me that the Eagles proposed a rule change to allow NFL players to wear #0 and now Darnell Washington is suddenly falling on day two due to medical concerns?” a Twitter user reacted.
“I don’t care about the knee anymore. Darnell Washington at 90 no matter what,” another one commented.
Did Darnell Washington get drafted
Georgia tight end Darnell Washington was taken by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft with pick No. 93.
He joins former Georgia teammate Broderick Jones, who was taken with the No. 14 pick in the draft. Washington went later than expected due to injury concerns.
Washington is a 6-foot-7, 264-pound tight end out of Las Vegas, Nevada. As a junior, Washington caught 28 passes for 454 yards and three touchdowns. He was a Second-Team All-SEC selection for the Bulldogs.
Washington is one of the most unique players in the draft, given his impossible size. He is also the best blocking tight end in the draft, often being used as a sixth offensive lineman for the Bulldogs.
The tight end prides himself in his blocking ability, something that will no doubt impress his new team.
“I take a lot of pride in it, I embraced,” Washington said at the NFL combine. “I knew at the University of Georgia I wasn’t getting 40-50 catches; we had Brock Bowers, Ladd (McConkey). There’s only one football. You can’t give it to everyone, I embraced the role in blocking. That’s the mindset there.”
Washington arrived at Georgia as a 5-star prospect. His junior year was statistically his best for the Bulldogs.
Part of the reason for the muted numbers is because Georgia also had Brock Bowers, who is expected to be a top pick in next year’s draft. Bowers won the Mackey Award, given to the nation’s top tight end.
Georgia coach Kirby Smart has been a vocal proponent of Washington and the way he matured over his time in Athens.