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Former Steelers Defender Gives Comprehensive Look At The Priorities Of The TE2 Competition
Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Former Steelers Defender Gives Comprehensive Look At The Priorities Of The TE2 Competition

Originally posted on Steeler Nation  |  By LeeAnn Lowman  |  Last updated 8/8/23

Training camp is well underway for the Pittsburgh Steelers and there are battles at several key positions. One of those battles is at tight end. With Pat Freiermuth expected to retain his first-string spot, it leaves some questions as to who gets the second-string spot. Will it be the returning veteran Zach Gentry? Or the young, eager, rookie Darnell Washington?

Gentry was drafted by the Steelers in the fifth round in 2019, with the selection coming as part of the Antonio Brown trade. People joke that Gentry and Freiermuth kind of make up the perfect tight end if you could meld them together. Gentry is an excellent blocker, and Freiermuth has great hands. Gentry re-signed with the Steelers in April of 2023, which is why it was surprising to some that the team drafted a tight end. 

Washington won two College Football National Championships during his time at the University of Georgia. The Steelers shockingly enough were able to nab him in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft. He is 6'7", about 260 lbs. and can move in ways someone that big shouldn't be able to. At the NFL Combine, he recorded a 4.64 on the 40-yard dash. 

One area that Washington was dinged on by scouts was his catching abilities. This led Steelers fans to believe that we have two blocking tight ends on our hands. However, during these early days at training camp, Washington is proving everyone wrong. 

He was out catching passes like a wide receiver during the Steelers' Friday Night Lights practice. Washington has also shown himself to have valuable blocking skills. Is it possible that Washington could upset the tight end battle and take over the number two spot? At least one former Steelers player thinks it is possible. 

Former Steelers LB Arthur Moats Thinks Darnell Washington Might Give Zach Gentry A Run For His Money

Former Steelers linebacker Arthur Moats now hosts a popular podcast called The Arthur Moats Experience. On a recent show, Moats weighed in on how he sees the TE2 battle shaking out.     

Moats believes that Washington actually has a chance at taking Gentry's spot away from him based on his current performance in camp. He acknowledged that Washington appears to have already surpassed Gentry from a receiving standpoint, but that may not be enough. He will have to beat him in blocking as well.  

"I feel like the only way Darnell is going to surpass Gentry is if he can block better than Gentry. Gentry is a proven blocker in this league."

Playing for Georgia does give Washington an edge according to Moats. He said that we all watched every defender on that Georgia team go early in the draft. Those are the guys that Washington is used to practicing against, top-level talent, and that helps him. 

"He just has to make sure that he's showing that same type of consistency blocking NFL guys on a day-in and day-out basis and then carrying that over into the preseason when you're facing different guys from different teams. As long as he can do that, I think he will surpass Gentry. Gentry is a dope blocker, but he is limited in terms of the receiving element." 

The blocking element definitely cannot be overlooked. While Gentry may not have the same kind of explosive, splashy plays that Washington does, he has provided reliable blocking that is necessary. It will be critical to see if Washington can win on run blocks or on passing plays.  

If Washington can handle the blocking with consistency, then he will surpass Gentry because he brings the "x-factor" according to Moats. If he can manage to beat out Gentry in camp this year, then the sky will be the limit for Washington. He has already shown he is hungry, tenacious, and full of raw talent. 

Who do you think will win the TE2 spot? Do you think Washington can be a better blocker than Gentry? Click to

This article first appeared on SteelerNation.com and was syndicated with permission.

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