Rookie SWOT: DeAndre Washington
Editor’s Note: As our coverage of the 2016 NFL Draft and its impact on fantasy football continues, we will be finishing up our 2016 Rookie SWOT series. These articles featured video highlights, combine reviews, strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats, short-term expectations, long-term expectations and rookie draft advice for over 30 of the best dynasty league prospects from this year’s draft.
Make sure you’re ready for your dynasty league rookie draft and season by staying up on all these articles, checking out our rookie draft guide, rookie rankings, rookie draft cheat sheet and mock draft rooms. There are simply no better resources out there for dynasty fantasy football enthusiasts.
Name: DeAndre Washington
Born: February 22, 1993 (Age 23)
Position: Running Back
Pro Team: Oakland Raiders
College Team: Texas Tech
Draft Status: Fifth Round, Pick 143
Combine Review
- Height: 5’8”
- Weight: 204
- Hand Size: 9”
- 40 Time: 4.49
- Bench Press: 24 reps
- Vertical Jump: 34.5”
- Broad Jump: 118”
- Short Shuttle: 4.20
- 3 Cone Drill: 7.03
Video Clip
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Strengths
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- Excellent feet, both in the box and in space
- Highly productive college player in all phases of the game
- Runs and blocks with reckless abandon
- More than willing to pound between the tackles despite obvious size limitations
Weaknesses
- Below average vision
- Inconsistent hands
- Consistently misses cutback lanes
- Poor anticipation and patience
- Despite willingness to stick it inside, lacks physical attributes to make hay there
Opportunities
Washington seems to have already found himself second on the depth chart behind only the entrenched Latavius Murray. In addition to spelling Murray, he should start the year playing in third down and obvious passing situations. Washington’s opportunity is such that he could push Derrick Henry for the second most touches among all rookies in 2016.
Threats
Current starter Murray is a dark horse to lead the entire NFL in touches. Even if that comes true, Washington should have a fairly defined role, especially considering there is so little behind him. I wish the Raiders would use Marcel Reece, who is suspended the first three games of the year, more in the passing game, but they’ve shown for years that won’t be the case.
Short-term Expectations
Many think Washington will come out of the gate threatening for low-end RB2 status in PPR leagues, but I’m not so sure. Our good friend John Paulsen of 4for4 fame has him 60th in his RB projections, a ranking I’m inclined to agree with. As I said above, Murray is set to dominate touches on all three downs.
Long-term Expectations
This is going to create some dissension, but I just don’t see it with Washington. Lance Zierlein of NFL.com compares him to Branden Oliver, which is pretty accurate. I see a bit more Bobby Rainey, who has had his days in the sun, but I don’t think anybody would consider either of those guys a fantasy success story. To me, Washington’s hype is a product of Football Twitter trying too hard to make something out of nothing.
In my experience, the things he struggles with most (poor vision, patience, and anticipation) are very difficult to improve on at this stage of the game. Many players refine these skills, but Washington is starting from too low a point to gain enough polish to justify his current asking price.
NFL Player Comparison
Bobby Rainey.
Rookie Draft Advice
Washington is considered by most to be a high second round rookie pick. I find that obscene. I wouldn’t consider him until the tail end of the second at the earliest. That said, his value is likely insulated for the next 12 months, as his projected role will keep people coming back for more.
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