3 years later: Re-evaluating the Detroit Lions’ 2016 draft class

Dwayne Washington, RB

Selected: Seventh round / pick #15 (236th overall)
School: Washington
Position: Running Back
Career statistics: 30 games played, 463 rushing yards, 3.4 Y/A, 1 TD
Current status: In training camp with New Orleans Saints

Big, physical and athletic, Washington seemed like a good compliment to the rest of the Lions’ backfield at the time, as they tried to pull themselves out of the rushing yardage cellar from the year before. Despite a few flashes of potential and explosiveness, his lack of vision and situational awareness kept him from ever making much of an impact for the Lions.

The Lions finished 30th and 32nd in total yards on the ground in Washington’s two seasons in Detroit. He scored just one touchdown and averaged under three yards per carry during his Lions tenure. He appeared in just five games in 2017, as the team’s rushing offense continually sputtered. He also made cameos on returns, but didn’t make much headway there either.

After being cut by the Lions prior to last season, he joined the New Orleans Saints, where he averaged an impressive 5.7 yards per tote in limited opportunities. He will compete this year for snaps behind tailbacks Alvin Kamara and Latavius Murray.