Mike Washington Jr.

RB·Arkansas
RS Senior·6'2"·228 lbs

Consensus

Derived from 2 independent scout reports + combine measurables.

74.5
Composite Score
Pick 51-120
Projected Pick
70.0
Film
+5.0
Combine
-0.5
Age

Scout Reports

Scout 1Primary Analysis62 / 100

Mike Washington Jr. — Scouting Report

Position: RB | School: Arkansas | Class: Graduate (6th Year)

Prepared for DynastySignal — 2026 NFL Draft



The Short Version


Mike Washington Jr. is a physically imposing, between-the-tackles power back who earned All-SEC Second Team honors in his lone season at Arkansas after a circuitous route through Buffalo and New Mexico State. At 6'0", 228 lbs with a 30.9 BMI, he brings legitimate contact balance, goal-line reliability, and a surprising ability to catch the football out of the backfield. The dynasty concern is obvious: he's a late-entry SEC player with a long college trail and a clear skill ceiling defined by limited elusiveness and change-of-direction. The upside is real but bounded — he profiles as a Day 2 back who can contribute early on early downs and in red-zone packages if he lands in a gap-scheme system.



Measurables & Background


| Attribute | Detail |

|---|---|

| Position | RB |

| School | Arkansas (final season) |

| Previous Schools | Buffalo (2021–2023), New Mexico State (2024) |

| Height | 6'0" |

| Weight | 228 lbs |

| BMI | 30.9 |

| Jersey Number | #4 |

| 2025 Honors | All-SEC Second Team |

| 2025 Stats | 1,070 rush yds, 8 TDs; 28 rec, 226 yds, 1 TD |

| 2024 Stats (NMSU) | 725 rush yds, 8 TDs |

| 2021–2023 Stats (UB) | 1,119 rush yds, 8 TDs |

| Career Receptions | 73 |

| PFF 10+ Yard Runs | 30 |

| Projected Draft Capital | Day 2 Late (picks 51–100) |


> Note: NFL Marc Draft Network graphic lists 6'2", 230 lbs; the Rookie Big Board prospect card lists 6'0", 228. The 6'0"/228 figure appears in the more detailed scouting slide and is used as the primary measurement here.



Film Sources Reviewed


| Source | Label | Frames | Notes |

|---|---|---|---|

| Rookie Big Board Fantasy Football & NFL Draft — Mike Washington is a Priority Sleeper Target! (15:47) | `film_` | 18 | Includes prospect context slides, tape review slide, Scholar's Key Stats, Fantasy Projection, and game action vs. Tennessee, Texas A&M, Texas, Mississippi State, LSU |

| Draft Capitol — Potential Draft Steal: Arkansas Runningback Mike Washington Jr. \| 2026 NFL Draft Highlights (11:50) | `official_` | 18 | Game action vs. Ole Miss, Memphis, Tennessee, Texas A&M, Mississippi State, LSU, Texas; includes sideline and goal-line situations |

| NFL Marc Draft Network — Mike Washington Jr. is a PROBLEM \| 2026 NFL Draft Prospect | `broadcast_` | 19 | Aerial and broadcast angle game film from multiple SEC contests; running in traffic, open-field, goal-line, sideline |



What The Film Shows


1. Vision & Patience — **B / 6.5**


Washington reads the front with patience appropriate for a power back. He's not the type to pinball off bodies at the mesh point — he waits for the crease to open, then attacks it decisively. On the cutback in film_009 (vs. Tennessee, Neyland Stadium), he plants hard and cuts back against the grain of a zone-blocking scheme, with the correct read and decisive footwork for a 228-pound runner. You can see him scanning the second level before committing in official_004 (stretch play vs. Ole Miss), where he turns an outside run upfield rather than being corralled wide. That said, he's a one-cut back — his vision works inside a gap-run structure (power, counter, inside zone with a defined cutback lane), and it does not translate to creative improvisation. He won't make something from nothing; he'll maximize what's there. Broadcast_012 and broadcast_013 show him finding and hitting cut-lanes on aerial-view tape with appropriate timing. He is not dancing, not freelancing — just identifying and attacking.


2. Explosiveness & Speed — **C+ / 5.5**


This is the limiting factor. Washington shows a legitimate "second gear" once he clears the line of scrimmage, and official_006 (breakaway touchdown vs. Mississippi State) is the standout frame — he's 10 yards ahead of every defender in the frame, outrunning the field in open space. That play exists. But it's an outlier, not a baseline. The film_007 slide (tape review card) explicitly notes "Limited breakaway speed" and the Scholar's Key Stats benchmark (Yards per Carry = 5.0) missed its threshold, suggesting his big-play efficiency is below the standard for NFL-caliber breakaway backs. Broadcast_014 and broadcast_015 show him reaching full speed in open field, but the style of run is linear — he's not a gear-changer or a stop-start athlete. He accelerates north-south and reaches a respectable top-end speed, but his long speed doesn't translate to the chase speed that makes defensive backs miss. He's not going to win a footrace with a NFL safety in the open field.


3. Contact Balance & Power — **A- / 8.0**


This is the headline trait. Washington runs through people. The goal-line carries at Tennessee (film_008, official_002) show him driving through an SEC defensive front with his pad level low and his legs churning — not slowing, not bouncing out, finishing forward. Broadcast_004 and broadcast_005 show him absorbing contact inside the tackle box against multiple defenders without going down on the initial hit. The tape review card (film_007) calls out: "Does not get knocked off his path easily" and "Runs through defenders with momentum" — the tape confirms it. His BMI of 30.9 is elite for the position, and you see it on film: he's a load at the point of contact. Official_005 (2nd & Goal vs. Ole Miss) shows him in a phone-booth situation, driving his legs into a tightly contested pile with no hesitation. The short-yardage and goal-line trust from the Arkansas coaching staff across multiple games (at Tennessee, at LSU, at Memphis) speaks to what the coaches saw: when they needed one yard, they gave it to Washington. That carries over to the NFL.


4. Receiving Ability — **B- / 6.0**


The numbers support him here: 28 catches for 226 yards in 2025, 73 career receptions, clearing the PFF reception benchmark. Film_007's tape review card confirms "reliable hands and catches the ball well in stride." Official_005 (frame context) shows him releasing from the backfield into a route on 3rd & 9 against Texas A&M — he's on the field in obvious passing downs, which is significant trust for an early-down power back. Official_006 in the open field shows him tracking and securing the ball in stride. Official_008 (vs. Texas A&M, 3rd & 9) shows a route out of the backfield, suggesting he's not a liability in the passing game. However, the limited film of him catching the ball in traffic makes it difficult to assess hands under pressure. The route tree appears short — flares, swing routes, check-downs, wheel routes. He's not running stem routes against linebackers. He can be a check-down safety valve and a third-down option on short routes, not a Kelce-style receiving back. The hands are there; the route sophistication isn't.


5. Pass Protection — **D+ / 4.0**


This is the one clear red flag from the tape. The film_007 tape review slide explicitly notes: "Low pass block grade in 2025." Nothing I saw on the action frames contradicts that. There are no protection frames showing Washington picking up a blitzing linebacker or executing a chip block. His frame and power would suggest he should be capable — and physically, he's built for it — but the 2025 grade raises serious questions about his technique, recognition, and willingness to engage in the pass-protection phase. A back who can't be trusted in protection against NFL pass-rushers will be limited to two-down usage, which caps his dynasty ceiling significantly. This is a correctable issue — he has the size and strength to improve — but it needs coaching. A team that emphasizes pass-protection from their backs will need to see development before they trust him on third downs.


6. Scheme Fit — **B+**


Washington is a gap-scheme back, full stop. Power, counter, inside zone with defined cutback lanes — he thrives. Zone-heavy outside-stretch-heavy offenses will not unlock his value because they demand lateral agility and tempo that he doesn't have. He doesn't need to be in a spread system; he doesn't need the ball on swing routes every week. He needs a gap-oriented offensive line, play-action opportunities, and goal-line packages. Teams running heavy power concepts (think: Ravens, Eagles, Steelers style) are his dream landing spots. He is versatile enough to contribute in a West Coast passing attack as a check-down, but that's not his ceiling. The film from his Arkansas year shows him succeeding most in situations where the scheme created defined lanes — he found them, hit them, and finished.



Strengths Summary


  • Elite contact balance for his draft range: Washington simply does not go down on first contact. Broadcast_004, official_002, and film_008 all show him absorbing hits from SEC defenders and staying upright, driving forward for extra yards. At picks 51–100, you rarely find a back this physical.

  • Legitimate goal-line and short-yardage value: Multiple frames (official_002 at Tennessee, official_005 at Ole Miss, broadcast_017 at Memphis, official_007 at LSU) show him being deployed in 1st & Goal and 2nd & Goal situations against SEC competition. He's not a goal-line vulture borrowed for one sneak — he's the guy. That role has real dynasty value as a touchdowns-by-committee back.

  • Reliable hands confirmed by production: 73 career receptions and a cleared benchmark on PFF's reception metric. He catches the ball naturally, in stride, without hitching (film_007). He can serve as a dump-off option and a safety valve, extending drives on third and short.

  • Breakaway speed exists, if not consistent: official_006 (Mississippi State) shows a legitimate house-call run where Washington outpaces the defense. That play shows he can flip a gear when the crease opens in the second level — a trait that will show up occasionally at the next level.

  • Power and pad level are NFL-ready: Broadcast_005 shows him running through Texas-level defenders (Top-17 team) on the perimeter. His low center of gravity and forward lean (confirmed in every action shot, including film_002-004) suggest his running posture translates directly to the pro game.

  • Ball security technique: Official_009 (vs. Texas, sideline run) shows him carrying the ball in his outside arm along the boundary — a correct, coached technique. Fumbles are not a concern based on what the film shows.

  • Competed and produced in the SEC: This matters. Washington's 2025 season (1,070 yards, 8 TDs, All-SEC Second Team) came against SEC defenses — Tennessee, Ole Miss, Texas A&M, LSU, Texas. The competition context is legitimate. He earned the recognition against the country's best defenses.


    • Concerns & Risks


  • Age and college trajectory is a dynasty killer. Three years at Buffalo (MAC), one at New Mexico State (CUSA), one at Arkansas. Washington will be old for a rookie RB by the time he's drafted. Dynasty value depreciates fast for backs entering the NFL at 24–25+ years old. The ceiling is capped, and the timeline to contribute is compressed.

  • Pass protection is legitimately a problem. The 2025 tape review slide flags a "Low pass block grade" explicitly. If he can't protect in the NFL, he's two-down-only. That dramatically limits dynasty relevance, especially in PPR formats where third-down roles drive value.

  • Limited elusiveness is not a workaround issue. The weakness column on the tape review card (film_007) reads: "Limited quickness, agility. Lacks elusiveness. Slow to change direction." You cannot coach lateral agility into a player who doesn't have it. When the hole closes or a defender is in the backfield, Washington is not going to make them miss — he's going to absorb the hit. In an NFL where every blitzing safety or corner can close quickly, that's a production limiter.

  • Scheme dependency creates landing-spot risk. He needs a gap-based offense to thrive. If he lands in a zone-stretch heavy system or a pass-first offense that doesn't feature a true early-down grinder, he's going to look like a very limited player. Draft capital (Day 2 Late, picks 51–100) means he probably won't be the feature back right away regardless.

  • Statistical benchmarks missed on key efficiency metrics. The Scholar's Key Stats show misses on Yards per Carry (5.0), Scrimmage Yards (1,296), and Scrimmage Yards Percentage (24%). Clearing only 3 of 6 benchmarks is a mediocre result. The YPC miss is the most damning — if you're going to profile as a power back who doesn't make people miss, you need to be efficient when you do hit the hole. 5.0 YPC is average, not elite.

  • The transfer trajectory signals something. Buffalo → New Mexico State → Arkansas is a well-documented route for players building toward a draft moment. But it also means his "breakout" came at age 23+ and against SEC competition only in his final year. NFL evaluators will note he hadn't done it at a Power program until it was draft-year time.


    • NFL Comp


    Primary: Jordan Howard (2016–Present)

    Howard was a 6'0", 224-pound power back who ran through people, owned goal-line situations, hit the hole decisively, and never had elite speed or elusiveness. He was durable, consistent, and productive in gap-scheme offenses, and he struggled in pass protection throughout his career. Washington mirrors that profile almost exactly — same build, same running style, same strengths and limitations. Howard had a 1,313-yard rookie year in Chicago and was a legitimate RB2 early, then faded as his role became scheme-dependent. That's Washington's most probable NFL career trajectory.


    Secondary: Kyle Monangai (2025 Draft class) — noted directly on the Fantasy Projection slide

    The Rookie Big Board projection card explicitly comps Washington to Kyle Monangai — a dense, physical, between-the-tackles runner whose dynasty ceiling is capped by his lack of elite athleticism but whose floor is stabilized by goal-line usage and receiving competence. Both are backs who can be RB2 contributors in the right system and league format, with PPR gap between the two being marginal.



    Bottom Line


    Mike Washington Jr. is a legitimate NFL back in the right system — a physical, reliable, gap-scheme between-the-tackles runner with goal-line credibility and adequate receiving production who can contribute early in his career if he lands in a power-oriented offense. The dynasty concerns are real: his age, his pass-protection deficiencies, and his lack of elusiveness cap his ceiling at a high-volume RB2 in a favorable situation, with most realistic outcomes clustering in the RB3/handcuff range depending on landing spot. Dynasty managers should target him in the second round of rookie drafts (2.01–2.08 range) with measured exposure, treating him as a late-career, scheme-dependent asset with genuine goal-line upside rather than a building block for the long haul.



    SCOUT SCORE

    Score: 62/100

    Projected Pick: R2, Pick 51–80



    Film Score: 62 / 100

    Scout 2Independent Analysis78 / 100

    Scout 2 Report: Mike Washington Jr., RB, Arkansas


    The Short Version

    Overhyped power back with SEC volume but no juice—decent hammer, no dynamite. Day 3 value in dynasty, not the steal they're selling.


    Measurables & Background

    | Attribute | Detail |

    |-----------|--------|

    | Height | 6'2" |

    | Weight | 230 lbs |

    | Age | 22 (born ~2004, multi-year college) |

    | Class | Senior |

    | 2025 Arkansas | All-SEC 2nd Team, ~1070 rush yds, 11 TDs, 28 rec/272 yds/1 TD |

    | 2024 New Mexico St. | 725 rush yds, 8 TDs |

    | 2021-23 Buffalo | 1119 rush yds, 8 TDs |

    | BMI | 30.9 (elite size/power profile) |


    Film Sources

    | Source | # Frames | Description |

    |--------|----------|-------------|

    | Rookie Big Board (film_) | 18 | \"Priority Sleeper Target! Tape Breakdown\" (stats slides, run highlights vs SEC) |

    | Draft Capitol (official_) | 18 | \"Potential Draft Steal... 2026 Highlights\" (vs LSU, Ole Miss, Memphis, etc.) |

    | NFL Marc Draft Network (broadcast_) | 19 | \"Mike Washington Jr. is a PROBLEM\" (power runs vs Tennessee, Texas A&M, MSU) |


    Film Analysis

    Vision: 7/10 - Patient feel for blocks, lets lanes develop (official_012 patience behind LT vs Memphis; broadcast_007 sets up cut vs crowd). Not elite creator.<br>

    Contact Balance: 8/10 - Thick lower half absorbs hits, stays upright (broadcast_010 arm tackle broken; official_005 bounces off LB).<br>

    Burst/Acceleration: 6/10 - Functional short-area quickness but no explosion (film_011 gap hit ok, no second gear; broadcast_014 chugs post-contact).<br>

    Power/Strength: 9/10 - Hammers defenders, drives legs (official_009 stiff-arm vs TN; broadcast_005 piles through pile).<br>

    Long Speed: 5/10 - Tracks 4.65-4.70 40 potential, gets caught from behind (broadcast_019 chased down; official_018 no breakaway gear).<br>

    Pass Protection: 4/10 - Willing but raw, poor hand placement (film_ weakness slide notes low pass block; no standout reps).<br>

    Overall Grade: B- (Solid grinder, scheme-dependent.)


    Strengths

  • Elite power/size to punish LBs in phone booth (broadcast_005 drives 3 defenders backward; official_009 churns for tough yards).
  • Reliable contact balance through traffic (official_005 stays vertical after shoulder hit; broadcast_010 shrugs arm tackle).
  • Productive patience, reads blocks well (official_012 freezes hole vs Memphis D; film_010 sets up bounce).
  • SEC workload translator (film_ stats slides show volume efficiency despite misses).

    • Concerns

  • Lacks burst/elusiveness for open field—straight-line only (broadcast_014 no cutback wiggle; film_ weakness: \"lacks quickness, agility\").
  • Top-end speed caps ceiling, no home runs (official_018 tracked down long; YPC miss per scholar stats).
  • Limited receiving/pass pro reps—2025 28 catches ok but drop-prone hands? (No standout routes; film_ low pass block noted).
  • Injury history risk at 230 lbs high-mileage legs (multi-school wear).

    • Dynasty Outlook

    RB3/4 stash Year 1 behind vets (e.g., PIT w/ Warren, IND w/ Taylor). Year 2 flex if lands power scheme (NO, CLE). Year 3 RB2 upside if stays healthy/learns blocking. Avoid committees; needs 200+ carries.


    NFL Comp

  • Floor: Zach Moss (power volume eater, no speed).
  • Ceiling: Rhamondre Stevenson (big hammer with marginal agility).

    • Bottom Line

    Washington is a legit Day 3 power back with starter traits in the right system—ignore the \"steal\" hype, he's no Chubb/JK. Trade back value.


    SCOUT SCORE

    Score: 78/100

    Projected Pick: \"Day 2, Pick 90-120\"


    Film Score: 78 / 100

    College Stats

    2025–26 season

    —
    Carries
    —
    Rush Yards
    —
    YPC
    —
    Rush TDs
    —
    Receptions
    —
    Rec Yards
    —
    Rec TDs

    Measurables

    ● = confirmed at the Combine. Pre-combine estimates shown where unconfirmed.

    Height6'2"NOT CONFIRMED
    Weight228 lbsCONFIRMED
    40-Yard Dash4.33sCONFIRMED
    Vertical Jump39.0"CONFIRMED
    Broad Jump128"CONFIRMED
    Bench Press—NOT CONFIRMED
    3-Cone Drill—NOT CONFIRMED
    Shuttle Run—NOT CONFIRMED
    Arm Length10.00"CONFIRMED
    Hand Size39.00"CONFIRMED