Nfl Draft Top Ten Running Backs: #8 Mike Washington Jr., Arkansas

Continuing this series, where I highlight my top ten favorite running backs from the upcoming NFL draft class, the current or former pro they remind me of most, and whether I see them as a fit for Ben Johnson’s offense this season for the Chicago Bears. Remember, these are NOT fantasy rankings or even who I think will get drafted in order but simply my top backs based on tape, measurables, production and my own personal taste.

#8: Mike Washington Jr. – Arkansas – WORKHORSE

Mike Washington Jr. might have the highest ceiling of any back in this class outside of my #1 RB. Problem is, he might have the lowest floor as well. After beginning his collegiate career at Buffalo near his hometown of Utica, NY, Washington transferred to New Mexico State as a Junior before finishing his career in the SEC with Arkansas. A circuitous path for the 5th year RB, that culminated in his first season eclipsing both 1,000 yards and 6 yards per carry and doing so against the most talented competition he had yet faced. Washington Jr. is a puzzling study for myriad reasons. Despite posting the fastest 40 yard dash at the 2026 NFL Combine for all RBs at 4.33 seconds, the former Razorback only had 7 runs of at least 40 yards in his entire collegiate career, four of which were in his final season against SEC competition. Add in the fact that he had 13(!) fumbles as a collegiate athlete and had his most productive season when paired with a dual-threat QB who also broke all sorts of combine records, it’s hard to gauge just what you would get in him as a pro. Here’s the RAS profile of his college QB.

That said, I like his potential and am encouraged when I see athletes step up to the level of competition they face as it indicates they are driven and coachable for the pro game. For me, it all depends on where Washington Jr. lands and the role he is expected to hold as a rookie. I do not think putting him in as your RB1 on day 1 would be wise, but if he were to beat out the competition in camp, so be it. Ideally, Washington Jr. lands behind a proven vet where he can improve his ball security issues and pass blocking consistency with his imposing 6’1” 223lb frame. I don’t think he will ever be a dynamic receiver out of the backfield, but he absolutely has the ability to take swing passes and screens the length of the field whenever he touches the ball. Washington Jr. is a big, powerful back with long strides and an imposing stiff arm and boasts some elite top-end deep speed. He has above average vision and agility for his size, but is less of a creator and more of a capitalizer who can make you pay for missing a gap or taking poor pursuit angles. Much like my pro comp for him.

Pro Comp: Derrick Henry

Washington Jr.: 6’1”, 223lb, 4.33 forty, 1.51 split, 10’8” broad, 39” vert, 33 5/8” arms, 9 1/4” hands

King Henry: 6’3”, 247lb, 4.54 forty, 1.56, 10’10”, 37” vert, 33”arms, 8 3/4” hands

While a certain former Razorback who also ran a 4.3 might be most people’s comps for Mike Washington Jr., I can’t help but notice the former Heisman Trophy winner when I see Washington Jr. run. Granted, Washington Jr. doesn’t possess the raw strength and tackle-breaking ability of the 5-time Pro-Bowler and 4-time All-Pro, but he has a bit more wiggle and juice and similar long strides, while both carry a brutal stiff arm. On paper, Derrick Henry’s 4.54 forty might not be impressive, but considering he broke off 8 carries of at least 40 yards just in the last two seasons (in his age 31 and 32 seasons, no less) including TWO runs over 80+ yards, he clearly has enough speed to keep defenses honest. That said, the King has his own struggles with fumbles and has put the ball on the ground 24 times in his 10 year career – proving there is a risk/reward even for the best backs out there.

Taken in the 2nd round after compiling one of the most illustrious college seasons of all-time, Derrick Henry has gone on to have himself a Hall of Fame caliber career as a pro. Lofty comparisons for the former Razorback, no doubt. While Mike Washington Jr. never sniffed the level of production that Henry did in his lone year as bell-cow in the SEC, RBs who run a sub 4.4 at over 220lb are rare so I would not be surprised if he was also taken in the 2nd round, though I would expect the 3rd or 4th round for him.

Here are some clips of each.

‘Prince Michael’ or ‘The Jr. King” is clearly not quite the tower of power that King Henry is, but you can see that he makes up for it with more burst to avoid would-be tacklers both in space and in the hole as opposed to trucking through them. Think of Prince like a smaller/faster version of the King. If he lands in Baltimore, watch out.

Fit for Bears? No.

Like I said with my #10 back, Kaelon Black, if we were to land him, I would be thrilled, but I just don’t see Washington Jr. as a scheme fit for our offense. Could Washington Jr. succeed in Chicago’s outside zone scheme? Sure. But his skill set is more power/gap/man based for an offense with maulers up front and a lead blocker, in my opinion. Baltimore really would be an ideal landing spot for him, but any team with a dual threat at QB, beefy OL & FB and WRs willing to block should be an environment where he can thrive.

What are your thoughts on this freak of nature from Arkansas? Can you see the King Henry comp, or do I sound crazy?

BChuk’s Backs:

10 – Kaelon Black, Indiana

9 – Demond Claiborne, Wake Forest