Where will Penn State receiver Parker Washington start his NFL career?
Penn State receiver Parker Washington bet on himself by leaving the Lions early to prepare for the pros. That decision has now paid off. He was selected by the Jacksonville Jagusrs with the No. 159 overall pick in Round 5 of the 2023 NFL Draft.
The Sugar Land, Tex., native missed the final three games of the 2022 season due to a foot injury. It led to curiosity regarding whether or not he would return to school despite a previous long-held belief by many that he would enter this year’s draft following the season.
Ultimately, he declared for the pros before the Rose Bowl and watched it from the sidelines with his teammates while using a scooter to get around. The injury did not allow him to test at either the NFL Combine or Penn State Pro Day. But, in the end, neither kept him from hearing his name called during this year’s three-day selection process in Kansas City, Mo.
“You have to bet on yourself and be confident in yourself,” Washington said at Pro Day. “At the end of the day, it is a gamble. If I come back, it’s a gamble. You have to be willing to attack that and put your best foot forward and be confident.”
Washington’s versatility likely appealed to many NFL teams. Besides his receiving work with the Nittany Lions, he also was the primary punt returner in 2022 before the injury happened. All told, Washington caught 146 passes for 1,920 yards and 12 touchdowns over three seasons in State College. He was an All-Big Ten honorable mention pick following last season.
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Parker Washington scouting report
Here’s how Lance Zierlein of NFL.com sizes up Washington’s game:
“It’s easy to see that Washington has worked hard on all aspects of his craft. He’s not the most athletically gifted player, but he uses all of his talent to maximize his on-field production. Washington plays with well-developed ball skills and the toughness needed to make challenging catches, but finding open windows against man coverage will be difficult, due to his lack of shake and separation. His size and run-after-catch ability help his cause as a backup and possession slot receiver.”
How does Penn State move on from Washington?
KeAndre Lambert-Smith figures to move into Washington’s vacated slot role. The Lions are hopeful he can finally turn some on-field production and freakish athleticism into his best season to date. ‘KLS’ will lead the receivers room along with Harrison “Tre” Wallace. But, the progam exited spring practice with uncertainty about who its third receiver will be.
Transfer Dante Cephas arrives soon to enter a competition for that spot. The pecking order starts with second-year Nittany Lion Omari Evans. But, Liam Clifford, Malik McClain, Kaden Saunders, and Malick Meiga are among the players vying for either the third starting job or rotation work, as well.
