Former GM Says Steelers Must Move Big TE Darnell Washington To Offensive Tackle

Over halfway through the Pittsburgh Steelers' 2023 season, it seems as if General Manager Omar Khan hit a home run with his first draft as the full-time head of the front office. Broderick Jones is a star in the making along with Joey Porter Jr. on the other side of the ball. Keeanu Benton and Nick Herbig have contributed in positive ways as well. The jury is still somewhat out on third-round selection, Darnell Washington. It's well known that he is a freak of nature and is almost always bigger than anyone else on the field. However, he has not contributed all that much in the passing game on offense. He has, though, displayed great blocking ability.

The Steelers also have Connor Heyward on the roster, who stepped up during Pat Freiermuth's absence. A more natural tight end in Rodney Williams is also rostered. That brings up the question regarding Washington's future. With Chukwuma Okorafor potentially being released as a cap casualty in 2024 and Dan Moore Jr. entering the final year of his rookie contract, would it make sense to transition Washington to the tackle position?

Wednesday on The Fan Morning Show, Adam Crowley and Dorin Dickerson welcomed former NFL General Manager, Doug Whaley onto the show. They began talking about Washington when Dickerson expressed his desire for the organization to move the large tight end to the offensive line.

"I would slap 20 pounds on Darnell Washington and make him my right tackle. I mean, he's caught three ball this year, none over 10 yards. He's barely in the passing game and what he does most is block, and he blocks very well. I'd put 20 pounds on him and make him my tackle."

Whaley overwhelmingly agreed with Dickerson. He advised Washington's agent to waltz on into Khan's office and request that his client be moved to the line because he's more likely to get paid there in the future.

"If I'm his agent, I'm walking into the Steelers' offices and talking right to Omar [Khan] and saying, 'Yes.' I'm telling him the same thing you said and I heard you, 'You're gonna get paid as a right tackle.'"

Fans have consistently seen Washington's ability to block. He had a controversial one that led to a touchdown in Week 12 against the Cincinnati Bengals, but regardless, he has shown that he has a skill in that area. He and Jones at the tackle position could be a recipe for dominance in the near-future.

Whaley continued talking about the state of the tight end position in the NFL. Offenses look for these guys to be a threat in the passing game. Washington has not displayed that and is in a crowded, and talented, room. Whaley wants Washington to get ready to beef up even more in the 2024 offseason and come back ready to play right tackle.

"There's very few teams that [use] blocking tight ends in the NFL, matter of fact, in football all together. So if you want to use your body as a corporation to get generational wealth, starting eating fella."

Historically, the most famous example of this is the Buffalo Bills transitioning Jason Peters from tight end to offensive lineman. Now, 19 years later, Peters is still going strong at 41 years old as a member of the Seattle Seahawks. Peters is a nine-time Pro Bowler, two-time All-Pro and one-time Super Bowl champion who is headed for the Hall of Fame one day whenever he decides to hang up his cleats. A similar path could be available for Washington.

Steelers Have Great Football Player in Washington

Regardless, Washington is a big-bodied guy who can play at a high level. He may not be the most effective receiver, but he has been a big part of the Steelers' improved rushing attack in 2023. He even was noticed dominating TJ Watt during 2023 training camp. If the vision inside the building revolves around him being more of a blocker, it's absolutely worth it to take Whaley's advice and transition him to be an offensive tackle.