When Daryl Washington was drafted in the 2nd round in 2010, the biggest knock on him was his size at 228 pounds. The Cardinals took a risk on him anyway, even though he doesn’t have the prototypical size for a middle linebacker, especially in a 3-4. That risk has panned out as he has emerged as an above average middle linebacker at just 25 years of age in his first 2 seasons in the league, even though he has played his entire career in the high 220s/low 230s.
Heading into his 3rd season, Washington has made it a priority to add weight and he now tips the scales at 243. Washington says he does not feel the change when he runs and that his speed is “still the same.” That should be taken with a grain of salt obviously and we’ll have to see how the added weight affects him on the field. If it effects him positively, he could break out to a Pro Bowl level in his 3rd year in the league.
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