Donald

Washington

Powe is working behind Dontari Poe, Anthony Toribio, and Amon Gordon, while Washington has been behind Travis Daniels, Kyle McCarthy, and UDFA Terrance Parks even with both Eric Berry and De’Quan Menzie on the shelf. Washington was the 102nd pick in the 2009 draft. He and Powe look to be on the bubble.

Bond was set at a pricey $20,000. Pulled over for speeding on I-70 by Illinois State police for doing 88 in a 70MPH zone, Washington was found to have a “small quantity of cannabis” in the trunk of his vehicle. There were at least 2.5 grams of marijuana in a stashed backpack. Washington has a court date scheduled for August 23. Although this is Washington’s first NFL arrest and may not cost him playing time, he was already going to enter camp squarely on the roster bubble. The off-field slip-up may end Washington’s tenure in K.C.

The suspension comes as a result from a July arrest where Washington was pulled over on suspicion of DUI. The former Chiefs cornerback was also speeding, driving with a suspended license, and in possession of marijuana. Washington, 26, is four years removed from playing at Ohio State. He registered 25 tackles in 12 games with Kansas City in 2011.

The Chiefs’ coaching staff is from the Belichickian school of valuing versatility in defensive backs. Washington, at 6'0/194, has the necessary build for a free safety. He could unseat FS Jarrad Page if he comes along quickly.

Washington, 30 in July, appeared in 32 games for the Chiefs from 2009-2012 as a fourth-round pick, but had been out of the league since being slapped with a three-game suspension in October 2012, resulting from a DUI. The Steelers are leaving no stone unturned as they look for cornerback help.

Interesting prospect. Washington is a burner, but he lost his starting job as a last season, hurting his draft stock, then left as a junior anyway. It’s possible he could have position flexibility to eventually play at safety, but joins a nicely forming young Chiefs secondary at corner.

The fourth-round pick left Columbus after his junior year and thus cannot join his new teammates until after the June 14 ceremony. There is ample opportunity for the speedster as K.C. switches from a zone secondary scheme to mostly man, but Washington will have to make up valuable practice time.

Washington declared early for the draft despite losing his job as a junior to then-sophomore Chimdi Chekwa. However, Washington has 4.3 speed and ideal CB size at 6'0/194. He’s a project with down-the-line starting upside.

Travis Daniels, signed off the street in early November, took just two weeks to claim nickel duties from Mike Richardson. Washington took practice reps at safety this year and could compete for the nickel job in training camp.

Playing with heralded senior Malcolm Jenkins, Washington posted only one pick and 22 tackles as a junior sub-package CB. At 6'1/188, Washington may be viewed as a safety at the next level. He doesn’t project to be a first-day pick.