STRENGTHS - Washington definitely looks the part "on the hoof," is a quick, explosive athlete and plays with great effort. Using his long arms, quick hands and good strength enables him to consistently defeat OT blocks when he has space to work with. He can bend knees while rushing the passer, which combines with his strength so that he can jolt and drive blocker backwards when he bull rushes. Not only effective as a power rusher, Washington has the speed to threaten the corner and the quickness and agility to beat OT with quickness. Once he defeats block he has an explosive burst to the QB/Ball-Carrier to finish the play. When offenses try to "reach block" him, he can stay inside block and has the speed to track down the play in pursuit. Using his long arms, Washington does good job taking on and locking out OL run block, can shed and makes tackle on runs at him and inside.
WEAKNESSES - Right now Washington is a better athlete than football player. This was made clear at the Senior Bowl where he dominated blockers and looked like stud all week, but on Georgia film he was not consistently productive. Despite ability to play with leverage, he will get upright at times and when he does he does not play as strong at the POA and also struggles changing direction quickly. Although he shows the burst to threaten the corner, he does not show the ability to dip shoulder and turn the corner consistently. He is not a polished pass rusher and needs to use his hands more aggressively to defeat good pass blockers. His tendency to get upright at times hinders his ability to move well through traffic and limits his production.
SUMMARY - Often overlooked at Georgia because of all the talent surrounding him, Washington flashed big play ability on film and displayed the skill set of a starting defensive end during the week of practice at the Senior Bowl. Blessed with a great physique, long arms and the ability to play with leverage, give Washington the tools to be effective as a bull rusher and POA run defender when he stays focused on playing with good technique. Overall, Washington is not going to be drafted as highly as his teammates Jarvis Jones and Alec Ogletree, but he will likely be a third round pick because he has the talent to become a productive starting defensive end in a 43 scheme or as an outside linebacker in a 34 defense. .