It’s fair to call this 2024 Draft class ‘deep’ at the wide receiver position. With potentially as many as nine receivers hearing their name called within the first round. One prospect that isn’t quite lumped in with those higher end receivers as much as he deserves is Virginia’s Malik Washington.
On paper, it’s fair to add skepticism to a receiver who is 5-8 and 192 pounds going among the top 32 players in a loaded draft. What Washington lacks in height and weight, he more than makes up for on the football field, where he was one of the most dominant players across the country this last season. With 110 catches for 1,426 yards and 10 touchdowns, Washington was downright uncoverable on a team that had, at best, shaky quarterback play.
𝗠𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗸 𝗪𝗮𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗼𝗻, What Matters 𝗠𝗢𝗦𝗧:
➖𝟭𝘀𝘁 in 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 in 𝗖𝗙𝗕 (𝟭𝟭𝟬)
➖𝟭𝘀𝘁 in 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗣𝗲𝗿 𝗚𝗮𝗺𝗲 (𝟵.𝟮)
➖𝟰𝘁𝗵 in 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗬𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘀 in 𝗖𝗙𝗕 (𝟭,𝟰𝟮𝟲)
➖𝟮𝗻𝗱 in 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗬𝗣𝗚 in 𝗖𝗙𝗕… pic.twitter.com/HRhlLN5x3g— Austin Abbott (@AustinAbbottFF) February 9, 2024
Washington is an elite route runner with a ridiculously good ability to adjust his body to make tough catches. Washington’s speed, burst, and yards-after-contact ability rank near the top of this class. All in all, Washington is simply a fantastic playmaker who has put it all together on the field and can clearly play at a high level in the NFL.
While teams may be hesitant to take Washington too early because of his “size limitations” it is clear when you put on the tape that he is one of the best wide receivers in this entire draft class and is going to instantly make an offense better from day one of entering the league.
