Mike Washington Jr. — 2026 Fantasy Outlook

Washington spent his first four college seasons at Buffalo and New Mexico State with modest results, averaging just 4.4 yards per carry on 420 attempts for 1,844 yards and 18 touchdowns. He was largely a non-factor in the passing game as well, catching 45 balls for 244 yards and two scores at only 5.4 yards per reception. A transfer to Arkansas revitalized his college career. He ran for 1,070 yards and nine touchdowns on 167 carries at 6.4 yards per carry, while adding 28 catches for 226 yards and a score.

Washington enters the NFL Draft with an intriguing physical profile, combining a 6'1", 225-pound frame with 4.33 speed. At this stage, he plays more like a finesse back than a power runner, leaning on his quickness rather than his size. Some areas need development. His vision and reads in tight spaces remain a work in progress, and his change-of-direction footwork off the snap can be exploited by defenses looking to disrupt him at the line. He'll also need to clean up some ball security issues and become a more reliable pass protector, particularly given his physical tools.

His upside is real. When given room to operate, Washington is dangerous when reaching the second level, where his speed allows him to run away from defenders. He also profiles as a receiving threat out of the backfield, adding versatility to his game. Embracing a more physical running style will be the key to unlocking his ceiling at the next level.