We don’t currently know what the New York Giants offense will look in 2026 like under John Harbaugh and Matt Nagy. It’s strongly suspected, however, that the team will lean even further into the run than they did in 2025.
The Giants already have a good running back duo with Cam Skattebo and Tyrone Tracy, but while the complement each other well, they do lack elite size and speed. Filling those gaps in the backfield skill set could lead the Giants to selecting a running back in the 2026 NFL Draft.
If so, they could look long and hard at Arkansas runner Mike Washington Jr.
Washington Jr. has excellent size and is the fastest back in the draft, posting one of the best and most explosive workouts the NFL Scouting Combine has ever seen. Not only does he have the size to be a downhill power back, but he also has the speed to outrun most defenders.
If he wasn’t already, Washington Jr. is probably on the Giants’ radar now.
Prospect: Mike Washington Jr. (4)
Games Watched: vs. Ole Miss (2025), vs. Memphis (2025), vs. Notre Dame (2025), vs. Auburn (2025)
Red Flags: none
Measurables
Strengths
Best traits
- Speed
- Explosiveness
- Size
- Competitive toughness
- Pass protection
Washington is a big and explosively athletic running back prospect. Washington has a near-prototypical frame for a running back at 6-foot-1, 223 pounds but combines that with graceful movement skills and truly explosive athleticism.
Washington is the fastest running back in the draft class despite being one of the bigger backs in the class. He features an explosive lower body as well as the ability to alter his stride length, giving him great acceleration as well as long strides for speed in the open field.
He is, primarily, a one-cut slashing back who wastes little time getting north-south after taking the hand-off. Washington has good vision at the first level, quickly identifying his running lane and he does a good job of giving his blocks time to mature. He features a very effective jump-cut, which he often pairs with a quick jab-step to set up would-be tacklers before cutting and exploding through his intended hole. He’s also surprisingly graceful, with gliding strides as he works his way through traffic around the line of scrimmage.
Washington has good contact balance once he gets going, with the ability to run through arm-tackles or glancing blows at the second level. Likewise, while he is a home-run threat every time he touches the ball, he is willing to bang inside and is as comfortable running as a power back between the tackles as he is off-tackle.
He is a reliable, if inexperienced, receiving option out of the backfield with soft hands and solid ball skills. Washington was only asked to catch swing passes and wheel routes at Arkansas, but did a good job of presenting a target for his quarterback then securing the ball before turning north-south.
Finally, Washington plays with good competitive toughness. He’s willing to take on and play through contact and plays very hard without the ball in Arkansas’ read-option heavy offense. Likewise, he’s a willing and reliable pass protector who consistently steps up to takes on linebackers and defensive linemen.
Weaknesses
Worst traits
- Pad level
- Second level anticipation
There are two main weaknesses in Washington Jr.’s game.
First and foremost, he needs to do a better job of consistently running behind his pads. Washington is a big back at 6-1 and roughly 225 pounds, but doesn’t consistently play like it. He’s an upright runner who can be upended by contact low, particularly before he builds momentum. Likewise, he doesn’t consistently push the pile on inside runs the way you would expect from a player with his explosiveness and frame. Running with consistently better pad level would solve those issues.
Washington also needs to do a better job of anticipating defenders at the second level. He is constantly on the knife-edge of a big play, but was brought down just before hitting the open field. That could be related to inexperience in the offense – he only played one year for Arkansas – as well as deficiencies in the blocking. However, if he can improve his vision and anticipation, he could be a much more consistent home run threat.
It’s also notable that Washington has taken a lot of hits despite never carrying the ball more than 170 times in a season. Arkansas used a lot of read-option plays in their offense, and Washington was often hit hard on the interior while QB Taylen Green pulled the ball to run outside.
Game Tape
(Washington is the Arkansas running back wearing number 4 and white tape on the back of his arms.)
Projection
Washington projects as a rotational running back with starting upside at the NFL level.
Washington is capable of running inside and outside, and should be able to execute both man-gap and zone scheme runs. That said, his upside is far greater for teams that scheme for one-cut runners, instead of using lateral blocks to create a “menu” of cutback lanes for shifty backs. He has true three-down upside at the NFL thanks to his play as a pass protector and receiver. He has the potential to be a terrifying weapon between the 20’s, where teams can use spacing and personnel packages to spread the defense and create room for him to break off big plays.
Washington will likely need to be paired with a compact power runner for short-yardage situations, at least until he consistently runs behind his pads.
Does he fit the Giants? Yes
Final Word: A Day 2 pick
