At 6065, and pushing 300 kilos relying on who you ask, TE Darnell Washington has developed into one of many higher blocking tight ends within the NFL. However the cause he was talked about as a possible first-round decide within the 2023 NFL Draft was his 4.64 velocity and uncommon athleticism at that dimension. He has but to come back into his personal as a receiving menace, however possibly that is the 12 months.
In accordance with Pittsburgh Steelers insider Mark Kaboly, Washington was a standout in the course of the first week of OTAs.
“Darnell Washington has regarded excellent at OTAs,” Kaboly wrote on X. “I do know I all the time say you’ll be able to’t inform a lot from OTA’s however you’ll be able to inform that he’s faster, sooner, and extra nimble than his first two years. Nonetheless obtained some good arms too.”
One of many large considerations, and the explanation why Washington fell to the top of the third spherical, was a medical flag with one in every of his knees. Many wrote him off as strictly a blocker with no means to develop right into a receiving menace due to the considerations along with his knee. I feel all of these questions had been roughly answered with an exclamation level final 12 months on the play under.
A 300-pound human being ought to have the ability to do any of that.
He weighed in at 264 kilos for the 2023 NFL Scouting Mix, however has clearly bulked up since then. It feels like his athleticism is lastly catching again as much as the added weight on his body.
Kaboly wrote extra about Washington throughout OTAs in a separate submit on X.
“The way in which Darnell Washington has asserted himself within the passing sport by three offseason practices can’t be dismissed,” he wrote. “Washington seems fast, fluid, and may I say speedy for a 6-8, 300-pound tight finish? Washington lumbered his manner by his first two years, however he seems like a man who obtained some magic elixir utilized to his bum knee.
“He may very well be a man who stood out to me the primary week.”
Not solely did Washington present he was able to that ridiculous stiff arm and hurdle play final 12 months, however his general manufacturing elevated as properly. After seven receptions for 61 yards on simply 10 targets in his rookie season, he caught 19 for 200 yards and a landing in his second season. All whereas staying wholesome with 36 whole video games performed together with the playoffs.
Arthur Smith was once a good ends coach and runs multi-TE units greater than practically any offensive coordinator within the league. Alongside Pat Freiermuth, Washington may kind a formidable tandem in the course of the sector if he lastly breaks out as a receiving menace.
Kaboly reported that Arthur Smith needed to dial again his offense in 2024 and wasn’t in a position to run every part he usually does as an OC due to the personnel out there to him. Possibly the emergence of Washington may very well be one piece of the puzzle to fixing that in 2025.
The Steelers have struggled to complete drives and produce touchdowns in recent times. It might stand to cause {that a} participant of Washington’s stature may assist flip that round.
