On the heels of an 11-2 season, things are looking up for the Washington Huskies and head coach Kalen DeBoer. Who are the top Washington prospects for the 2023 NFL Draft, and what do the scouting reports reveal about their next-level pros and cons?
Washington 2023 NFL Draft Scouting Reports
Alex Cook, S
Strengths: Nice-sized safety who is best defending the run. Aggressive, keeps the action in front of him, and fires upfield. Quickly diagnoses plays, takes proper angles, and wraps up tackling. Fires out to the flanks and is smooth moving laterally. Constantly around the ball.
Weaknesses: Doesn’t show a great closing burst. More of a drag-down tackler. Possesses poor ball skills. Intercepted just one pass and broke up three during five years at Washington.
Overall: Cook possesses the size as well as the speed to play at the next level, yet he never elevated his game and presents himself as a one-dimensional, run-defending safety. He comes with a special-teams mentality, which is the only way he’ll make a Sunday roster.
Henry Bainivalu, G
Strengths: Large, explosive blocker with an upside. Bends his knees, plays with leverage, and is powerful at the point. Turns defenders from the line run blocking and opens up the lanes. Keeps his head on a swivel, always looks for someone to hit, and plays with a nasty attitude. Displays above-average quickness pulling across the line of scrimmage or getting out to the second level. Agile with the ability to adjust.
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Weaknesses: Overextends and loses balance. Lacks footwork in space. Inconsistent.
Overall: Bainivalu is a tall, strong blocker who is much more athletic than his athletic numbers lend one to believe. He offers a terrific amount of upside as either a zone or power-gap blocker, but he must polish his game and learn the nuances of blocking.
Jaxson Kirkland, G
Strengths: Tough, hard-working blocker who gets the most from his ability. Quickly sets up off the snap, works to bend his knees, and immediately gets his hands into defenders. Stays square, seals defenders from the action, and gets movement run blocking. Keeps his head on a swivel, stays with assignments, and works to get a pad on defenders. Effective with his hands and anchors in pass protection. Tough and plays while injured.
Weaknesses: Lacks agility and plays like an average athlete. Not quick pulling across the line of scrimmage and is ineffective blocking in motion.
Overall: Kirkland is a tough, hard-working lineman who was a four-year starter at guard and left tackle for Washington. He lacks much upside, yet has a great understanding of blocking that could make him an invaluable backup on Sundays.
Want more information on Kirkland? Here’s our expanded scouting report and draft profile: Jaxson Kirkland, G, Washington | NFL Draft Scouting Report
Jordan Perryman, CB
Strengths: UC Davis transfer who played well for Washington last season. Aggressive, possesses outstanding size, and battles receivers throughout the route. Stays with opponents throughout plays, remains disciplined with assignments, and works to get his head back around to track the pass.
Effective facing the action, quickly locates the ball, and fires upfield. Gives effort against the run and drives his shoulders through ball handlers. Engages receivers at the line and quickly flips his hips. Shows good awareness.
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Weaknesses: Doesn’t correctly position himself against opponents, which results in completed passes. Displays average quickness and deep speed. Lacks a burst and cannot recover.
Overall: Perryman was a solid collegiate cornerback who is most effective in facing the action. He lacks speed and quickness for corner and may ultimately move inside to safety.