One prospect who may interest the Denver Broncos in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft is Arkansas running back Mike Washington Jr. He is a 6-1, 223-pound running back who is one of the better size/speed playmakers in the 2026 NFL Draft.
He has bounced around in his career with stints with Buffalo and New Mexico, but spent this past season with Arkansas and had himself a breakout season for the Razorbacks. Washington played in 12 games and totaled 167 carries for 1,070 yards, a yards per carry average of 6.4, 8 rushing touchdowns, and had 28 receptions for 226 yards and 1 receiving touchdown. This performance put Washington on the NFL draft radar, and his performance at the NFL Scouting Combine elevated his stock even more.
Mike Washington Jr. | Running Back | Arkansas
What other analysts are saying about Arkansas RB Mike Washington Jr.
Washington made stops at three different colleges and showed improvement with each move to a new school. He’s fast with loose hips and adequate agility. He’s not very sudden in tight quarters and is a step slow to see it and go when the hole opens. He can glide and swerve around interior traffic once he’s on the move, though. He has breakaway speed in the open field and is capable as an inside/outside runner. Running to his size with a greater degree of aggressiveness will be the key as he makes the jump. Washington has the traits and talent to become a solid rotational back.
RB Mike Washington’s RAS
Should the Denver Broncos select RB Mike Washington Jr. in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft?
I am intrigued by the size and tools, but I am not sure he fits what the Broncos need behind JK Dobbins and RJ Harvey.
On one hand, Washington Jr. has the size, speed, and big-play ability you look for in a back. Having that sort of talent as your RB3 and insurance behind Dobbins would improve the running back room quite a bit. However, his issues with fumbling and pass blocking make him a potentially unreliable insurance option behind Dobbins. Fumbling issues can and have been corrected, Sean Payton spoke about that, but his struggles as a pass blocker could keep him off the field. They obviously trust Tyler Badie in that role, and I don’t see Washington taking that from him right away, and if you’re going to be an RB3, you need to help out in other ways.
I personally would bet on the tools and work on correcting his fumbling issues and developing him as a pass blocker, but there are backs in the draft who fit that role better.
Prior to the Combine, Washington was viewed as a day 3 option, but his performance at the Combine has some thinking he is the RB2 in this draft. With the Broncos not picking until the late second round, there’s a scenario where he’s already off the board. They don’t pick again until the early 4th round, so if they want him and he’s available, they may have to take him with their late second round pick.
At the end of the day, I am a Mike Washington Jr. fan and would be thrilled if they selected him, but I am not sure if he’s the right fit for the Broncos. I could see them liking a more well-rounded back who doesn’t have the elite athleticism, but can do more on the field right now.
