Washington Football Team: Four Day 2 WR prospects to look for

No. 4 – North Texas WR Jaelon Darden

One of the fastest wideouts we’ve seen, with true next-level quickness and burst, Jaelon Darden would be a dream for Scott Turner’s offense.

With guys like J.D. McKissic and Isaiah Wright filling in multiple roles for this offense, Darden would be a step in that same direction and become a significant upgrade going forward for that WR room.

Darden is a slot wide receiver, who had amazing production over his collegiate career. Most notably from 2018-2020, Darden impacted games for UNT on a scale that hasn’t been seen in the history of the program.

During those three years, he totaled 229 receptions, 2,500 yards, 35 touchdowns, and an average Pro Football Focus grade of 81.2.

Darden’s ability to be a weapon is going to be a useful trait at the next level. He had an average yards per reception of 16.1 throughout his senior season, he forced the most missed tackles in 2020 with 23, and he had the fifth-most deep catches in college football, totaling 12 on the season.

Darden is a playmaker from the slot, with a knack for making plays that hurt defenses in a big way. He wasn’t able to be stopped against man, as he graded out with a 91.4 grade against man coverage, while his QB’s threw his way with confidence. His team’s QB had a passer rating of 99 when targeting Darden on throws that traveled 20 or more yards.

In addition to his explosive play style from the slot, Darden is an adequate returner, as he had one return touchdown throughout his collegiate career and averaged a 62.4 grade as a returner throughout college. He’s someone that can be your starting return man, potentially fixing that side of special teams for the Washington Football Team. He is a weapon, someone Turner and Co. would love to pair with Antonio Gibson and J.D. McKissic.

While Darden would be an answer for your woes from the slot, he’s truly someone you can use all over the field. A role that would fit him would be one similar to Steven Sims and Isaiah Wright.

Wright’s versatility in the screen game and behind the LOS proved valuable, as he simply had the ball in his hands to make plays, averaging over five YAC per reception. Sims was the starting slot wideout, who was expected to make plays in the short and intermediate passing game, something Darden proved he can do at UNT.

Darden would be a great pick for this organization, as he brings versatility and explosiveness to an offense that desperately needs it. He’d be the teams starting Y receiver, while also being a worthy option of being the team’s primary returner as well.