HEIGHT: 5'10"

WEIGHT: 174

HAND: 8⅜"

ARM: 29⅛"

WINGSPAN: 70"

40-YARD DASH: 4.52

3-CONE: 6.84

SHUTTLE: 4.22

VERTICAL: 35"

BROAD: 10'2"

POSITIVES

— Very good acceleration and speed. Has a threatening top gear, but can also throttle up and down with ease.

— Twitchy player in space. Quick, controlled and explosive footwork. More than equipped to make defenders miss.

— Above-average YAC threat. Primarily wins with his speed and ability to change directions.

— Does well to track and snag throws outside his frame. Doesn't look like he's straining to find the ball.

NEGATIVES

— Terribly small frame in every way. Hard to imagine him playing any snaps outside in the NFL.

— Poor play strength. Regularly bullied at the top of routes or at the catch point.

— Flashed impressive route-running at times, but was largely used as a gadget and underneath player. Will likely be the same in the NFL.

— Likely will not be able to win in traffic or in the air in the NFL at all.

2023 STATISTICS

— 13 GM, 59 REC, 1,062 YDS (18.0 AVG), 8 TD

NOTES

— Born May 16, 2001

— 3-star recruit in Memphis' 2019 class, per 247Sports

— Transferred from Memphis to USC in 2021

— 45 career starts

— Attended 2024 Shrine Bowl

OVERALL

Tahj Washington is a rail-thin slot receiver with all the burst and twitchiness in the world.

Washington is quick as a wink. Often deployed on screens, flat routes and other simple yards-after-the-catch-earning designs, Washington carved defenses to bits with his short-area burst and change of direction. He plays with tight, controlled feet and is explosive as all get out when he commits to a direction.

Washington also has impressive ability to control his speed. He can throttle down a bit to gauge his surroundings and put the pressure on an incoming tackler before making a quick move and instantly jumping back up to top speed. Washington's YAC skills are devastating, especially on the perimeter.

There's also a little more to Washington as a receiver than meets the eye. Though you will never see him win the ball in the air, Washington is a natural pass-catcher with throws outside his frame. He finds the ball easily and snaps his hands right to the ball with confidence.

With that said, Washington's size alone makes him a niche player who must live in the slot. Washington struggles to beat press and cannot earn himself space with push-offs at the top of routes. He's also never going to be a ball-winner.

In turn, Washington will be relegated to gadget work and straight-line routes that unlock his speed, such as crossers at all depths of the field.

There is a role for Washington in the NFL. Players with his immediate speed, change of direction and YAC skills tend to get snaps. However, Washington may struggle to ever consistently crack a starting lineup due to his size and limitations.

GRADE: 6.3 (High-Level Developmental Prospect — 5th Round)

OVERALL RANK: 143

POSITION RANK: WR24

PRO COMPARISON: Mecole Hardman

Written by B/R NFL Scout Derrik Klassen

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