Penn State wide receiver Parker Washington opted for the 2023 NFL Draft after three seasons with the Nittany Lions, which was arguably highlighted by a six-touchdown 2020 season as a true freshman.
While he never posted eye-popping statistics in his FBS career, Washington earned an All-Big Ten honorable mention in 2022, despite missing three games due to injury. He’s a blue-collar wideout whose projected draft stock should materialize a Day 3 draft selection.
Height: 5-foot-9 3/4
Weight: 204 pounds
40 time: N/A
Unimpressive as an athlete, Washington will forge his NFL path as a hard worker with positive intangibles. He’ll endear himself to any coaching staff that puts grit, determination, and fearlessness over flashy gym rats.
Table: Parker Washington stats (2020-22)
*includes postseason/bowl games (stats from Sports Reference)
Pros
- Makes his living over the middle of the field as a glorified possession receiver
- Stoutly built frame who can take a hit
- Great ball skills and concentration in traffic
- Shows a knack for finding soft spots in zone coverage
- Boasts a grinder mentality who fights for every extra yard — doesn’t mess around trying to dance in the open field
- Several catches on tape that jump off the screen — excellent concentration to make contested catches, especially when he needs to contort for a difficult grab
- Strong enough to run through arm tackles and bounce off glancing hits
- Potential for versatile utility in the running game on jet sweeps and as a punt returner
Cons
- Lacks athleticism and isn’t twitchy
- Won’t outrun level defenders and struggles to access a second gear — no official 40 time is available, but he ran a 4.57 coming out of high school
- Wasn’t overly productive
- Route-running traits are inconsistent — sometimes rounds breaks and adds extra steps
- Limited upside and needs to fit a specific role in an offense to reach full potential
Fantasy football outlook
Regardless of where he winds up, Washington will profile as a slot receiver in the NFL but likely will see his career play out as a rotational player. It’s improbable he develops into a weekly fantasy football asset, but PPR gamers may have a short window in which Washington is a useful fill-in. Think of him as a early-career Randall Cobb type who could find himself force-fed passes in the right system.
