There's a reason why the Denver Broncos on Wednesday worked out and subsequently signed former New Orleans Saints running back Dwayne Washington.
Several, actually.
“He’s a good special teams player," head coach Sean Payton explained Thursday. "He really can run, and [played for me for] five years. He earned his spot in the kicking game as an undrafted free agent. He’s in good shape. He’s big, he’s physical and kind of a slash or downhill type runner. That’s what I’d say.”
Washington, 29, was a 2016 seventh-round pick of the Lions who spent his first two NFL seasons in Detroit before a five-year tenure in New Orleans — four of which came under Payton.
The 6-foot-1, 223-pound University of Washington product has appeared in 83 games, tallying 693 yards from scrimmage (592 rushing) and one touchdown on 184 touches (168 carries).
As Payton noted, Washington has made his bones on special teams, logging 1,315 career snaps compared to 411 offensive reps. He played on 80% (259 snaps) of Detroit's special-teams units across 12 appearances last season.
Which — with several RBs ahead of him on the depth chart — is where Washington will attempt to carve out a role in Denver.
“His vision was clean and clear in New Orleans. It’s the same here," Payton said. "He was a four-core special teams player there. He’s in really good shape. He’s played running back. He’s going to run until the glass breaks. That’s his style. He is someone that we think can come in and compete, and then compete for a role in the kicking game. I don’t know that we’ll see him [against San Francisco]. It’s been a minute since he’s played. We’ll probably limit his snaps in this game.”
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