Mike Washington Jr: Wikipedia| NFL draft| Broncos| Stats| Raiders

Who is Mike Washington Jr.?

Mike Washington Jr. is an American football running back from Utica, New York. He was born on July 3, 2003, and played college football at Buffalo, New Mexico State and Arkansas.

The Raiders list him as a 6-foot-2, 228-pound running back, while NFL.com lists him at 6-foot-1 and 223 pounds. Different databases can therefore show slightly different measurements.

Washington attended Cicero-North Syracuse High School in New York. As a junior, he rushed for 1,423 yards and 15 touchdowns and earned All-State recognition.

His path to the NFL was not straightforward. Rather than becoming a major college star immediately, Washington developed his game through three different programs before his breakout season at Arkansas.

Mike Washington Jr. Wikipedia profile

Here is a quick overview of his career:

Washington’s official NFL profile identifies him as an active Raiders running back and lists Arkansas as his college.

College career

Washington began his college career at Buffalo in 2021. He remained with the Bulls through the 2023 season before transferring to New Mexico State.

At Buffalo, he accumulated 1,119 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns on 263 carries over 27 games. He then rushed for 725 yards and eight touchdowns in his lone season at New Mexico State in 2024.

His biggest breakthrough came after transferring to Arkansas.

Arkansas breakout

Washington became Arkansas’ primary running back in 2025. He started all 12 games and rushed for 1,070 yards and eight touchdowns on 167 carries.

He averaged 6.4 yards per carry, an excellent figure that ranked second in the SEC and ninth nationally, according to the Raiders. He also caught 28 passes for 226 yards and one touchdown.

His performance earned him Second-team All-SEC honors and transformed him from a relatively under-the-radar prospect into an NFL Draft selection.

Mike Washington Jr. college stats

Washington’s college production shows how dramatically his career developed.

Washington’s college production shows how dramatically his career developed.

Across his college career, Washington recorded 2,914 rushing yards and 26 rushing touchdowns, along with 470 receiving yards and three receiving touchdowns.

NFL Draft: When was Mike Washington Jr. selected?

The Las Vegas Raiders selected Mike Washington Jr. with the 122nd overall pick in Round 4 of the 2026 NFL Draft.

The selection came after Las Vegas traded up from No. 134. The Raiders sent pick No. 134 and a sixth-round selection, No. 208, to the Atlanta Falcons to move to No. 122.

Washington became one of the Raiders’ notable Day 3 selections.

NFL.com gave him an overall prospect score of 70 and highlighted his speed, size and ability to operate as an inside or outside runner. The league’s scouting report projected him as a player with the traits to become a solid rotational back.

Why did the Raiders draft him?

The Raiders were looking for another dimension in their running-back room.

Washington brings a combination of size, power and straight-line speed. At Arkansas, he demonstrated that he could produce explosive runs despite his larger frame.

His 2026 NFL Combine performance further strengthened his profile. Washington posted an official 4.33-second 40-yard dash, along with a 39-inch vertical jump and a 10-foot-8 broad jump.

That athletic profile makes him particularly interesting in a backfield featuring Ashton Jeanty.

Mike Washington Jr. and Ashton Jeanty

Washington is not expected to immediately replace Jeanty as the Raiders’ lead running back.

Instead, the rookie has an opportunity to become a complementary option behind Jeanty. CBS Sports reported that Washington was working behind Jeanty while receiving second-team reps and occasional first-team opportunities during the offseason.

The combination could give Las Vegas contrasting styles.

Jeanty offers explosive playmaking and versatility, while Washington provides a bigger, more physical running style. If both players continue developing, the Raiders could use them in different situations.

Mike Washington Jr. and the Broncos

The Broncos connection comes from the pre-draft process rather than Washington actually playing for Denver.

Before the 2026 NFL Draft, Washington was discussed as a possible Broncos selection. NFL Network’s Marc Ross specifically identified him as his ideal choice for Denver with the No. 62 overall selection.

Sporting News also listed Washington among players Denver could consider with its second-round pick, citing his combination of physical running ability, size and speed.

However, those were draft projections, not an indication that Washington signed with or was drafted by Denver.

The final outcome was clear: Washington went to the Raiders at No. 122 overall.

Mike Washington Jr. scouting report

Washington’s biggest selling point is his athletic ability.

He has the frame to handle physical carries but also possesses enough speed to turn a crease into a long gain. NFL.com’s scouting report described his ability to create big plays in the open field and noted his potential as an inside/outside runner.

Strengths

Speed: His 4.33-second Combine time is outstanding for a back of his size.

Size: Washington has the frame to absorb contact and handle between-the-tackles work.

Explosiveness: His testing numbers demonstrate impressive lower-body explosiveness.

Big-play ability: He can accelerate into the second level and create explosive runs.

Development: His production improved significantly after each college transfer, culminating in his breakout Arkansas season.

Areas to improve

Washington still has areas that need refinement at the NFL level.

NFL.com’s scouting report noted that he could improve his aggressiveness as a runner, while PFF identified concerns involving pass protection, receiving production and ball security.

For Washington, earning trust on third downs could be particularly important. The more reliable he becomes as a pass protector and receiver, the more opportunities he should receive.

Mike Washington Jr. NFL stats

Because Washington is a 2026 rookie, his NFL career statistics are still developing.

NFL.com lists him as an active Raiders running back and provides his official NFL statistics page.

His first preseason game provided an encouraging early highlight.

Against the Arizona Cardinals on August 13, 2026, Washington broke free for a 53-yard run, using a stiff arm and bouncing outside before sprinting deep into Arizona territory. The Raiders themselves highlighted the run as one of the standout plays from the preseason opener.

The Raiders ultimately lost the preseason game 27-14, but Washington’s explosive run immediately drew attention.

It is important to distinguish preseason production from regular-season statistics. His NFL regular-season career is only beginning, so his college numbers currently provide the larger sample for evaluating his ability.

What is Mike Washington Jr.’s role with the Raiders?

Washington enters the Raiders’ roster as an intriguing rotational running-back candidate.

Ashton Jeanty remains the primary back, but Washington’s physical profile gives the coaching staff another option. His ability to run between the tackles while possessing breakaway speed could make him useful in early-down and change-of-pace situations.

The Raiders’ own coverage has emphasized his ambitions and confidence following the draft. Washington has spoken openly about setting extremely high expectations for himself as he begins his NFL career.

His next objective is turning that confidence into consistent NFL production.

Final thoughts

Mike Washington Jr.’s journey to the NFL is one of the more interesting stories in the 2026 rookie class.

He started at Buffalo, transferred to New Mexico State, then broke out at Arkansas with 1,070 rushing yards and eight touchdowns. His combination of production and athletic testing helped him move up draft boards before the Raiders selected him 122nd overall.

The Broncos connection is also worth understanding. Washington was considered a potential fit for Denver and was even highlighted by NFL Network as an ideal Broncos target. But the draft ultimately sent him to Las Vegas.

Now, his attention turns to the Raiders.

His 53-yard preseason run against Arizona offered an early glimpse of the explosiveness that made him an intriguing prospect. If Washington can improve his pass protection, ball security and consistency, he could develop into a valuable complement to Ashton Jeanty.

For now, the story of Mike Washington Jr. is just beginning in the NFL.

FAQs

Who is Mike Washington Jr.?

Mike Washington Jr. is a professional running back for the Las Vegas Raiders. He played college football at Buffalo, New Mexico State and Arkansas before entering the 2026 NFL Draft.

What NFL team drafted Mike Washington Jr.?

The Las Vegas Raiders drafted Washington in the fourth round of the 2026 NFL Draft with the 122nd overall pick.

Was Mike Washington Jr. drafted by the Broncos?

No. Washington was linked to the Broncos during the pre-draft process, including being identified as a potential fit at Denver’s No. 62 selection, but the Raiders ultimately selected him at No. 122.

What are Mike Washington Jr.’s college stats?

Washington finished his college career with 2,914 rushing yards and 26 rushing touchdowns on 587 carries. He also recorded 73 receptions for 470 yards and three touchdowns.

How many yards did Mike Washington Jr. have at Arkansas?

He rushed for 1,070 yards and eight touchdowns on 167 carries during his 2025 season at Arkansas. He also caught 28 passes for 226 yards and one touchdown.

How fast is Mike Washington Jr.?

Washington ran an official 4.33-second 40-yard dash at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine.

Who is Mike Washington Jr. behind on the Raiders?

Washington entered the 2026 season behind Ashton Jeanty in the Raiders’ running-back hierarchy, although he has received opportunities to work with the first-team offense.

What happened to Mike Washington Jr. in the Raiders preseason opener?

Washington produced one of the game’s biggest highlights with a 53-yard tackle-breaking run against the Arizona Cardinals on August 13, 2026.

What is Mike Washington Jr.’s position?

Washington plays running back. The Raiders list him as RB No. 30.