The Unpacking Future Packers Countdown is a countdown of 100 prospects that could possibly be chosen by the Inexperienced Bay Packers within the 2023 NFL draft.
The Inexperienced Bay Packers could possibly be shedding large receivers Allen Lazard and Randall Cobb in free company this offseason. This coming a 12 months after they traded away Davante Adams to the Las Vegas Raiders.
If the Packers lose each Lazard and Cobb they may most actually be looking out for a veteran large receiver to group with children, Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, and Samori Toure.
It’s additionally probably that Brian Gutekunst will use a Prime 100 choose on a large receiver within the 2023 NFL Draft. A participant that he may goal on day two of the upcoming draft is Parker Washington. The Penn State large receiver checks in at No. 76 within the Unpacking Future Packers countdown.
Parker Washington 💪
(@cpw_3) pic.twitter.com/PTRVHkYYdC
— Kyle Yates (@KyleYNFL) February 9, 2023
A four-star recruit out of Texas, Washington caught 36 passes for 489 yards and 6 touchdowns through the 2020 marketing campaign. Whereas enjoying second fiddle to Jahan Dotson, Washington caught 64 passes for 820 yards and 4 touchdowns in 2021. This previous season, Washington performed in simply 10 video games and caught 46 passes for 611 yards and two touchdowns.
“Washington’s 2022 season was near a microcosm of his profession at Penn State: Quiet consistency,” Daniel Gallen, a Penn State reporter for Lions247 and 247Sports stated. “Regardless of lacking the ultimate three video games of the season, Washington nonetheless completed the season as Penn State’s main receiver in yards, and he had at the least 4 catches in seven of the ten video games he performed.”
Washington’s numbers took a dip this season. Quite a few components performed a job in Washington not constructing off his 2021 marketing campaign. The emergence of tight finish Brenton Unusual and the straightforward proven fact that Washington missed the ultimate three video games of the season with an harm.
“By a sure lens, Washington’s season could possibly be seen as a little bit of a disappointment,” Gallen stated. “With the departure of Jahan Dotson after the 2021 season, Washington was seen as a possible breakout star as the brand new No. 1 large receiver within the Nittany Lions offense. Washington’s 2021 output of 64 catches for 820 yards and 4 touchdowns is without doubt one of the most efficient seasons in program historical past, and that was even with Dotson posting the vast majority of the manufacturing. There have been myriad components at play, together with the constant emergence of the tight finish room and a resurgent working recreation. Penn State didn’t must cross as a lot.”
Washington’s two largest video games through the previous two seasons each got here towards Ohio State. In 2021, Washington caught 9 passes for 102 yards. This previous season he reeled in a career-high 11 receptions for 179 yards and one landing.
“Whereas Washington was constant and dependable, his solely actual headliner recreation was towards Ohio State in October when he caught 11 passes for 179 yards and a landing,” Gallen stated. “I believe many individuals, myself included, anticipated that to be the norm, versus his season averages of 4.6 catches and 61.1 yards per recreation. Nonetheless, Washington’s reliability can’t be understated.”
Washington has the contact steadiness of a working again. He’s capable of bounce off tacklers and create yards after the catch. He’s capable of weave out and in of site visitors, leaving defenders greedy at air.
Parker Washington girls and gents (Joker voice). pic.twitter.com/v1MDpiGgJn
— Brennen Rupp (@Brennen_Rupp) February 10, 2023
“Washington could be a game-breaker with the ball in his arms,” Gallen stated. “He’s constructed extra like a working again at 5-foot-10, 212 kilos, and when he will get into house, he can each make folks and use his decrease physique to interrupt tackles. His lengthy landing catch towards Ohio State in October was an ideal instance of this.”
At 5-10, Washington performs greater than his body. He does an excellent job of attacking the ball at its highest level and making acrobatic catches. He has excellent physique management and adjusts to the ball in flight. He has sticky arms (eight profession drops). He caught at the least one cross in each single recreation he performed in throughout his time at Penn State, a testomony to his reliability.
What a GRAB by Parker Washington 🙌
He now has 10 catches and 170 yards for @PennStateFball pic.twitter.com/Fye9KtHJiy
— FOX School Soccer (@CFBONFOX) October 29, 2022
“Regardless of his smaller stature, Washington has the power to make some tough catches, and his arms are an enormous a part of that,” Gallen stated. “Washington’s 35-yard landing catch towards Minnesota was an acrobatic feat, and his outing towards Ohio State featured various spectacular grabs. Dotson made his title at Penn State with tough catches, and Washington wasn’t fairly far behind. His one-handed catch towards Arkansas within the Outback Bowl after the 2021 season stands out, too. He was dependable, and quarterback Sean Clifford trusted him.”
There’s high-pointing the ball, after which there’s what Parker Washington (@cpw_3) did. 😲
The @PennStateFball WR’s spotlight TD is our Week 8 𝘗𝘭𝘢𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘞𝘦𝘦𝘬.
📍 @OldTrapper pic.twitter.com/saxHloVg4K
— Massive Ten Community (@BigTenNetwork) October 23, 2022
As a route runner, Washington does an excellent job of blending up his speeds. Throughout his time at Penn State, he lined up primarily within the slot and has excellent short-area quickness.
“Washington was a strong route runner, particularly out of the slot,” Gallen stated. “Penn State used him in movement a good quantity and even lined him up within the backfield at occasions.”
Okay.J. Hamler (2020) and Dotson (2022) have each been chosen within the Prime 50. Washington might not go that top, however the Penn State large receiver has robust arms, is an efficient route runner, and is harmful with the ball in his arms.
Parker Washington is the subsequent Penn State large receiver that may probably be chosen within the Prime 64.
Dependable arms. Shifty after the catch (16 damaged tackles final season based on PFF).
Ought to be in for a monster season at Comfortable Valley. pic.twitter.com/I5JdIl8rgR
— Brennen Rupp (@Brennen_Rupp) July 11, 2022
“Washington’s skill to mesh collectively his distinctive construct (5-foot-10, 212 kilos), his bodily talent set, and his ball expertise,” Gallen stated. “He performs greater than 5-foot-10, for my part, and gives sturdiness — he averted nagging accidents, regardless of struggling a season-ender in November — and reliability. Displaying up and being out there is step one.”
The Penn State large receiver gives particular groups worth as a return man. He completed his profession at Comfortable Valley with 19 punt returns, together with 18 this previous season and 5 kick returns.
Match with the Packers
The Packers must proceed so as to add younger expertise to the large receiver room. Watson is the centerpiece, with Doubs and Toure being strong position gamers.
Washington has robust arms and is able to making highlight-reel-worthy catches. He can create after the catch. The Penn State large receiver brings particular groups.
“If I used to be an NFL GM on the lookout for a dependable slot receiver, I’d draft Washington,” Gallen stated. “He’s proven good bodily instruments, particularly in relation to making performs after the catch and making performs on the ball. I don’t consider you’re drafting a No. 1 with Washington, however you’re getting a dependable participant who could make performs when wanted.”
The Packers want a dynamic slot large receiver. They swung and missed on Amari Rodgers. Gutekunst may take one other crack at including a slot large receiver on day two of the upcoming draft. The Penn State large receiver could possibly be the proper complement to Watson and Doubs.
