Draft Preview: Chauncey Washington

by John Morgan on Jan 28, 2008 9:46 AM PST in Commentary Comment 4 comments

Chauncey Washington isn't quite the sleeper prospect he was when I identified him as a potential steal several months back, but in a stacked draft for running backs, he should easily fall to the 4th round or later. The major cause? He was twice ruled academically ineligible. Make of that what you will. As many current and former NFL players prove, you don't have to be smart to pass your classes. Not when you're an elite talent, anyway. So did Washington just refuse to "play ball"? Is he inordinately stupid or honest? Actually, Washington was a math major with a computer science minor. He changed to a more modest major, sociology, before getting his grades back into shape. Otherwise, he's the same 4 star prospect he was exiting high school. Personally, I find such an ambitious course of study impressive for a potential pro athlete, and the perseverance he displayed to work his way back after missing two seasons to be two excellent indications of character. Hopefully Tim Ruskell does, too.

Depending on the source, Washington is anywhere from 5'11" (2007 combine) to 6'1" (ESPN, various) and between 215 and 230 lbs. Washington is a power rusher with a true bruising style. Washington maintains a low pad level and hits the hole - No frills, just good lines, square shoulders, impressive acceleration and a trail of broken tacklers in his wake. He averaged only 5 yards per carry his senior season, but that total is deflated by minimal big play ability and heavy usage in short yardage and goal line situations. Washington is incredibly consistent. The graph represents 189 carries. I removed 6 that were, in my estimation, obvious garbage time carries. Football Outsiders lists 4.5 yards as the measurement of a success on 1st and 10, but since play-by-play only lists whole numbers, I used the classic "Hidden Game of Football" 4 yard standard.

Washington is cheap, has succeeded at the highest level and is the perfect compliment to Maurice Morris. With him and a rebuilt offensive line, Seattle could boast a resurgent rushing attack without a star running back.

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I think Washington would be a nice fit

If they don't spend a first day pick on a RB. He has good hands and route running ability, right now I've seen him projected anywhere from the third to sixth round.

However, if the Hawks are looking for a second day RB who is a do-it-all back like Washington I would prefer Matt Forte from Tulane. I know he did'nt come from a big time program like Ruskell likes, but he was very impressive at the senior bowl. He's powerful, has good hands like Washington, but he looks like he has a better burst, and even better power.

Nice write up John. How many of these draft previews do you plan on doing?

by joeshow30 on Jan 28, 2008 12:06 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

I'm trying for one a week.

We'll see. Off to bed.

by John Morgan on Jan 28, 2008 2:54 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

2 seasons?

Why did he miss 2 seasons? It took him that long to get his GPA up? The Math/CS tidbit does make me feel more comfortable about him though. I mean USC is a tough school to be majoring in math at..

I fear that while this pick makes a lot of sense, especially if he falls as late as you predict, we are going to stick with Shaun for most of the 2008 carries.

If we don't do that I also fear we will sign Jamal Lewis, Michael Turner, or Julius Jones, which will be better than playing Shaun but also an unnecessary waste of cap room.

Mewelde Moore is an FA this offseason also. I know you mentioned you liked him earlier in the year. He is buried beneath Taylor and Peterson in Minnesota so will probably sign elsewhere for cheap. He is averaging 4.9 ypc career! He is 25 and has only carried the ball 264 times in the pros, so he presumably has a lot of tread left. His numbers also suggest he is a good receiver. It does look as if his game is pretty similar to Morris's though.

Still think Moore would be a good pickup?

by michaelfox99 on Jan 28, 2008 1:22 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Washington also helps in pass pro

To me, his pass pro ability kinda offsets what you don't get in big play ability. (And boy, does he lack big play ability.) He ran a pro-style offense and was on the field a lot.

I think this draft has a number of guys that fit that mold though. I'd include Cory Boyd (S. Carolina) and Ben Jarvis Green-Ellis (Mississippi) in that same class of back. All those guys are at least 210#. Green-Ellis may be the best pure-runner. Boyd is the best receiver and pass blocker. Washington is an intriguing combo of the two.

"Those who fear disorder more than injustice inevitably produce more of both." -- Rev. William Coffin

by dcrockett17 on Jan 29, 2008 11:46 AM PST reply actions 0 recs