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Draft Fact or Fiction: Darnell Washington, Will Levis, Nolan Smith

In Mike Farrell’s Fact or Fiction — Draft Edition, he analyzes whether Darnell Washington is TE1…

Mike Farrell| March 6, 2023 (Updated: July 9, 2025)
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In today’s Fact or Fiction — NFL Draft edition — I look at three big recent topics around the NFL Draft and decide whether the statement is indeed FACT or if it’s FICTION.


1. Darnell Washington will be better than Michael Mayer.

Farrell’s take: FACT

Mayer didn’t test as well as expected but I don’t care. The Notre Dame prospect will be very good in the NFL with his size, hands, and ability to block. But Washington surpasses him in all areas in my eyes. The Georgia TE is massive at 6-7 and 265 pounds, he’s an elite and very willing blocker and he flashed his hands as well with an amazing one-handed catch in drills. He’s not the natural pass catcher or route runner that Mayer is but in the right scheme he’s a much better weapon and he could be an absolute superstar.

Jan 9, 2023; Inglewood, CA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs tight end Darnell Washington (0) runs the ball against TCU Horned Frogs safety Abraham Camara (14) during the second half in the CFP national championship game at SoFi Stadium.

2. Will Levis isn’t in the discussion for No. 1 overall anymore.

Farrell’s take: FACT

He claimed he “has a cannon,” and he does, but his passing MPH was below Anthony Richardson and CJ Stroud, and his throws were solid but erratic at times at the combine. He came in raw and came out equally raw, and he needed to absolutely wow everyone to be No. 1. And he didn’t.

Tennessee defensive lineman/linebacker Byron Young (6) sacks Kentucky quarterback Will Levis during Tennessee’s game against Kentucky at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., on Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022.

3. Nolan Smith is a first round lock.

Farrell’s take: FACT

He’s moving up on the OLB board after running a 4.39 40 at 6-2 and 238 pounds. And it’s hard to find guys who can run like that, play in space and rush the passer as he’s shown at Georgia. I’m hearing he’s in the 20-32 range now as a prospect which is a big move up for him. He’s a surefire round one guy.

Mar 2, 2023; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Georgia defensive lineman Nolan Smith (DL45) participates in drills during the NFL combine at Lucas Oil Stadium.

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Category: Draft, Fact or FictionTag: Brady Ploucha, Caden Brown, Darnell Washington, Deontay Wilder, Eli Gillman, Mike Farrell, NFL Draft, Nolan Smith, Princewill Umanmielan
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