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Texas Tech football: What Red Raider alums need to show at NFL Combine

By Matthew Conner

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 04: Quarterback Patrick Mahomes of Texas Tech runs the 40-yard dash during day four of the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 4, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 04: Quarterback Patrick Mahomes of Texas Tech runs the 40-yard dash during day four of the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 4, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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Defensive tackle Broderick Washington Jr #96 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images)
Defensive tackle Broderick Washington Jr #96 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images) /

Broderick Washington needs to display raw power and explosiveness

Defensive tackle Broderick Washington enters this week thought to be a third-day pick.  That means he could land anywhere from the fourth to the seventh round.

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Defensive tackles must be above all else, powerful and explosive.  There’s still a place in the league for run-stuffers but to make a true difference, tackles now have to rush the passer because the quick passing game that has become so trendy in the NFL is best disrupted by pressure up the middle, rather than off the edges where it takes longer to get to the QB.

Washington started last year with 5.5 tackles per loss in the first six games but did not register one after that.  Much of that was because he seemed to wear down as the season progressed given the untenable burden that his team’s lack of depth placed on him.

Still, if he wants to be a serious NFL prospect, he must be as explosive as possible in the drills like the broad and vertical jumps and the 40-yard dash.  Of course, the bench press will also be key as he has to prove he strength to engage offensive linemen in hand-to-hand combat.

In 2010, Geno Atkins had a broad-jump measurement of 117 inches, one of the best of all time.  That was a sign that he was ready to be a star in the NFL and since then, he’s become a two-time All-Pro and one of the best tackles in the game.  If Washington can jump anywhere near 112 inches or farther, he will be certain to open some eyes.

Next. The Texas Tech football all-decade receivers. dark

So much of what Washington brings to the table isn’t measurable though. His intelligence and leadership may come through in one-on-one interviews with teams (perhaps the most critical aspect of the entire week for any prospect) but his tenacity, toughness, and durability are all facets of his game that teams will have to glean from watching his film.  If he can prove to be an explosive athlete, especially with his lower body, he could see his stock rise significantly once he leaves Indianapolis.

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