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NFL Draft 2014: Evaluating Iowa State FS Jacques Washington

By Brian Spaen

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There are three players on in Iowa State’s 2014 draft class that will receive a hard look from teams and will have a very good chance to make it to the next level.

Oct 26, 2013; Ames, IA, USA; Iowa State Cyclones defensive back

Jacques Washington

(5) looks on during the first quarter against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Jack Trice Stadium. Oklahoma State defeated Iowa State 58-27. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

First up is free safety Jacques Washington, who is one of the top safeties in the nation but currently is not projected to be drafted by most pundits.

Jacques Washington

  • Positions: Free safety, strong safety, outside linebacker, special teams
  • Height: 6-foot-0
  • Weight: 207 lbs.
  • 40-time: 4.62 seconds
  • NFL Draft Scout: 25 out of 1,000 FS’s | Projection: None

The good: Jacques finished second on the team in total tackles with 119 in 2013. He was one of two players that reached the century mark and was only overshadowed by Jeremiah George. Five of those tackles were for a loss, and he also recorded a sack. Add in two interceptions (both in the season finale against West Virginia) and six passes broken up. Washington was dialed in all season, recording double-digit tackle totals in five different games and never had less than seven tackles. He’s consistent and has both the elusiveness and athleticism to take down receivers.

The bad: When Washington gets burnt on coverage, it shows. His coverage skills aren’t the best when compared to the top tier safeties, and he’s not the fastest.

CC projection: Possibly free agency. While Washington is certainly one of the top 50 safeties in the nation and he’ll receive looks from many teams, it’s doubtful that he’ll actually be drafted. If anything, special teams may be the only way he gets on a team in the beginning.

Even if Washington doesn’t have a future in the NFL, he certainly has other talents he can utilize.

Other NFL Draft prospects:

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