Buffalo Bills: Breaking Down Third Round Pick Adolphus Washington
By Paul Taylor
We take an in-depth look at third round draft pick Adolphus Washington, by analyzing the pros and cons and seeing what the defensive tackle brings to the Buffalo Bills.
Heading into the draft, the Buffalo Bills biggest need was arguably on the defensive line. This need came about as a result of the release of Mario Williams, Kyle Williams recovering from surgery/getting older and Jarius Wynn‘s transition to the linebacker position.
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In that respect, the Bills were fortune enough to still see Shaq Lawson on the draft board, when it came time to make their selection with the 19th pick in the first round. However, they weren’t finished there, as they also took Adolphus Washington in the third round on Friday night.
The question is, was selecting the defensive tackle with the 80th overall pick a smart move? Let’s break it down in detail and see what the team is getting.
High school: Had 107 tackles and 19 sacks as a junior and then followed this up with 90 tackles and 22.5 sacks as a senior. Rated as a five-star recruit.
College: Ohio State Buckeyes
Career highlights: Named first-team All-American by The Sporting News in 2015. Also earned second-team all-Big Ten honors from both the coaches and the media. Invited to the 2016 Reese’s Senior Bowl week. Helped the Buckeyes win the national championship playoff game after the 2014 season.
Key stats: Started 31 of 49 games for Ohio State and had 142 tackles, 13.5 sacks and 25,0 tackles for a loss. Career-highs of 10.5 tackles for a loss and four sacks in 2014. Career-highs with 49 tackles and four quarterback hits in 2015.
Combine results: 4.95 seconds in the 40-yard dash, 4.79 seconds in the 20-yard shuttle, 21 reps in the bench press and 27.0 inches in the vertical jump.
Pros: Has first-step explosiveness and excellent hands, which helps him squeeze through gaps and cause disruption. Athletic and mobile. Very strong and has excellent size at 6’3″ and 301 lbs. Had the third-highest pass rush grade in the nation.
Cons: The biggest concern surrounds his judgement, after being cited by police last December with a first-degree misdemeanor charge of solicitation. Questions about his ability to provide a consistent pass rush. Needs to improve fitness levels to stay involved as games wear on. Also needs to add strength to his lower half.
Overall: Given that Washington was originally projected as a top-50 player, the Bills can consider it a major win to get him with the 80th pick. Admittedly, this drop was partly due to his citation, but all indications are this is likely a one-off mistake. One of the top defensive tackles in a draft full of them. Even if he just becomes a member of the rotation rather than a starter, he significantly boosts the overall strength of the Bills defensive line.
Next: Grading the selection of Reggie Ragland
What is your initial take on the Bills drafting Adolphus Washington in the third round? Do you agree with the selection, or is there someone else you would have preferred them to go for with the 80th pick? Let us know in the comments section below.