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Washington Redskins 2016 NFL Draft Profiles: Adolphus Washington, DL

Hogs Haven takes a look at 2016 NFL Draft prospects who could contribute to the Redskins

By Jason Bacaj
Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports

Adolphus Washington, DL

School: Ohio State University | Conference: Big 10
Experience: Senior | Age: 22
Height / Weight: 6'3" / 301 lbs
Projected Draft Status: 1st to 3rd Round
NFL Comparison: Wallace Gilberry

College Statistics

Player Overview

Adolphus Washington earned second-team All-Conference honors and was named first-team All-American by the Sporting News after his senior year. Washington had 49 tackles, seven for a loss and four sacks that final campaign, and finished his collegiate career with 142 tackles, 25 TFLs and 13.5 sacks. He also had a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and a pick-six his senior year. Washington's athleticism stood out at times, even as he played alongside one of the top players in the draft, Joey Bosa. Washington did miss the chance to play in the Fiesta Bowl after his December arrest for soliciting a prostitute. Throughout the pre-draft process Washington has been upfront about the situation and open to answering all questions posed to him. The charges were dropped in February after Washington completed a program known as "John school," according to the Columbus Dispatch.

Strengths

Athletic
Disciplined player
Good with his hands; sheds blocks easily
Quick off the line

Weaknesses

Poor instincts
Prone to arm tackles
Inconsistent pad level (sometimes plays too upright)

Let's take a look at his work...

How he'd fit on the Redskins

Washington will likely get drafted a little too high by a team that needs help along the defensive line. The success of almost every player in the draft depends on the situation he walks into come training camp, but few depend on that more so than Washington. He's a strong player with the size and athleticism to be a Pro Bowl level performer. But on tape -- the main film I watched of him was the Michigan State game -- those flashes of excellence were marred by the times when he guessed and shot a gap only to be blocked out of the play, when he mis-read a screen pass or when he'd side-hug the running back. So, basically, if Washington gets drafted by the Cowboys we're all probably not gonna like him in three years.

Anyway, Washington would fit well on the Redskins. He's young at a position where McCloughan needs young players. Plus, he has good size and can fill out even above 300; Lance Zierlein on NFL.com wrote that Washington's skinny legs likely contributed to the arm tackles. If McCloughan believes that Washington fits with the culture building in the locker room I could see him taking the former Buckeye in the second round. With good coaching and the right atmosphere, it's fair to expect Washington could contribute 20-25 tackles and around 3 sacks -- same as Jason Hatcher. I am usually too optimisitc though.

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