This series was created a number of years ago in response to questions about why certain well-known prospects went unselected in NFL drafts. For these articles, I reach out to sources with NFL teams to find out why their organizations passed on drafting a given player, and/or, what were the reasons for other teams to pass on that prospect. The positive response to “Why Undrafted” and questions from readers about why prospects were drafted lower than the media expectations led us to create the parallel series “Why the Slide?”
Both series are back this year. Feel free to email me requests for Why the Slide? and Why Undrafted? at [email protected]. I can’t promise to get to all of them, but I will do my best and definitely will respond to the email.
At the start of the 2021 NFL Draft process, TCU was recognized for fieldig a two-safety tandem that was very impressive in 2019. Trevon Moehrig and Ar’Darius Washington were the two components, and they defended the middle of the field and produced a lot of game-changing plays in the passing-driven Big XII. As a junior, Washington totaled five interceptions, seven passes broken up and 46 tackles. His numbers dipped to 37 tackles and five break ups in the shortened 2020 season. While Washington didn’t make as much as of an impact in 2020, many expected him to end up as a third-day pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. Some were surprised, however, when Washington went undrafted.
Team sources say Washington just slipped through the 2021 NFL Draft despite some teams having him graded on Day 3. Any excitement around him cratered when his senior-year tape disappointed, plus the 5-foot-8, 180-pounder faced inherent size concerns that were already weighing him down. Washington also did not make up for those issues by performing well during the pre-draft process.
After going undrafted, Washington signed with the Baltimore Ravens, and that was a fine landing spot. The Ravens could use some safety depth and competition. They are starting veterans DeShon Elliott and Chuck Clark, but behind them, they have an open competition. Third-round pick Brandon Stephens is virtually guaranteed a roster spot, but Washington could factor as a fourth- or fifth-safety backup candidate. The key for Washington will be to star on special teams in training camp. Aside from the 53-man roster, Washington could earn a spot on the practice squad and grow from there. He has to return to the form he showed in 2019, when he impressed in pass coverage and produced big plays on the ball, in order to have a shot at sticking in the NFL.
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