Mike Washington Jr. - Running Back - Arkansas
1 - Movement Economy & Tools
2 - Through contact skillset
3- Play speed
Sound through gap qualities & rarely overplays assignments. Demonstrates the capability to manipulate backers, can get them out of position. What I was surprised by how well he ski steps out of backfield penetration & can work his way back downhill efficiently - bigger backs have an issue with this often. Anticipatory qualities & patience are above adequate.
Washington Jr. is much better in gap than in open space. Poor movement tools laterally & has a hard time in singular engagements in open areas. Play speed is good, but can’t transition much of that into a skillset that aids in him when he needs to cutback into the 2nd level.
Poor diversity & balance through contact. Plays small when contact is initiated by the defender. This is an issue throughout his game near the LOS & in open areas - doesn’t utilize his acceleration capabilities enough as a through contact aid, does not play like he is 230lbs.
It’s similar to Kaleb Johnson in last year’s cycle. Good play speed & anticipatory qualities, but is a near zero through contact. If he can't clean up his toolbox through contact he won't stick around the league long.
Great accelerator who can transition efficiently into high speeds. Top-end speed is rare for his frame. Consistently surprises Safeties and erase angles towards the boundary. In a curvilienar fashion he is above adequate for his size, and can weave through open areas when space is abundant - not sure this quality will hold at the next level since open areas close much quicker than collegiately.
As a receiver he doesn’t offer a diverse skillset. Can be an outlet option and has the anticipatory qualities to work as an adequate screen operator.
Most similar to prospects like LaTavius Murray & Kalen Ballage who had vastly different careers. Ballage was more of a flash in the pan while Murray offered a career that spanned into his early 30's and was a Pro-bowler with the Raiders. I would lean more towards Washington ending up closer to Murray if he cleans up his shortcomings through contact.