The Broncos need a major boost in the return game, and they hope an overlooked playmaker out of an FCS school is the answer.
Denver selected Samford’s Montrell Washington in the fifth round of Saturday’s NFL draft, and he’s projected to become the team’s new returner. Washington’s selection at No. 162 overall indicates he will replace Diontae Spencer, the team’s primary returner each of the past three seasons who is currently a free agent.
Washington had five touchdown returns at Samford, and he led all of FCS with 1,938 all-purpose yards in 2021 including 18 total touchdowns and three by return.
“I’m very versatile, and my return skills, I think, are pretty good,” Washington said by phone, his family still screaming and celebrating in the background. “I’m trying to come in and do my job as a return man and flip the field.”
Listed at 5-foot-10, 170 pounds, Washington is undersized, but his tape is impressive. Most impressive — and what no doubt helped sell the Broncos on drafting him — was Washington’s performance against Florida last November, when he lit up the Gators’ defense in Gainesville.
In Samford’s 70-52 loss, Washington had 10 receptions for 124 yards and a touchdown; three runs for 19 yards and a touchdown; one pass for 16 yards; and 179 yards across five kick returns, including one that he ran back 98 yards to the house. On that play, Washington juked his way through a crowd of defenders, found a sliver of daylight and then burst away by the time he hit midfield.
“We believe he can be a dual returner for us,” Broncos general manager George Paton said. “He’s explosive — just watch him against Florida and you can see how explosive he is.”
Washington, whose college opportunities were limited out of high school because of poor grades, said he models his game after retired Pro Bowl returner Devin Hester. Denver could certainly use some of that mojo on their special teams. In 2021, the Broncos ranked last in the league in average kickoff return (16.2 yards) and 19th in average punt return (8.2).
With Spencer, the Broncos got one touchdown in 115 combined punt/kick returns from 2019-21. Spencer averaged 21.4 yards per kick return and 9.8 yards per punt return.
The selection of Washington is a step aimed at increasing those numbers. Washington’s touchdown celebration for returns is rooted in his track days. When he crosses the goal line, he leans across the line with his chest and puts his arms back like he’s competing in a photo-finish.
“I love to run, so I just thought that would be super cool, and I just feel like I’m on a track sometimes when I play,” Washington said. “Once I get to the finish line, I break the tape.”
