Steelers Were Very Aware Of Potential Injury Concerns With Darnell Washington: 'Figure You've Got Him For 4 Years And That's It'

The Pittsburgh Steelers waited patiently as monster tight end prospect Darnell Washington slipped down the draft boards in 2023. He landed in Pittsburgh in the third round at 95th overall. Insiders said that Washington slid down in the draft due to injury concerns with his knee. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette insider Ray Fittipaldo expressed recently the team understood the risks with the Georgia product, but were happy to take him anyway. 

During a weekly chat hosted on the publication's website, a reader asked Fittipaldo if the team was conscious that Washington "has the knees of an octogenarian." Fittipaldo is certain they did, and those knees are a big reason he was available when the Steelers picked him. 

"That's why he fell to the third round, so I'm sure they knew," he wrote. "One of those deals where you kind of figure you got him for four years and that's it."

Washington emerged as a receiving threat in his final year at Georgia in 2023. He had posted modest receiving totals in his first two seasons however, totaling 320 yards on 17 catches with one touchdown. In his junior year, he exploded as a pass-catching threat making 28 catches for 454 yards and a pair of scores. Despite becoming more of a receiving option in 2023, the hallmark of his game was still his blocking. 

Washington was on the field for 511 offensive snaps in 2023, which equated to being used on 48% of snaps. He was only targeted 10 times as a receiver and had seven catches for 61 yards. Four of his catches went for first downs. Due to his lack of use in the passing game, some called for the team to move him to tackle full-time. 

Pittsburgh hired Arthur Smith as their new offensive coordinator in the 2024 offseason after two years of watching Matt Canada run an offense that struggled to put points on the board. Smith's calling card is a heavy run game, which often means two tight ends on the field. Washington should get a lot of play in the new scheme, but the same questions remain about how he'll be used as a receiving threat. 

The team had an awful time in the red zone in 2023, finishing with 27 touchdowns on 52 trips inside the opponent's 20-yard line. At 6'7", Washington certainly has the size that many think could help him be a threat close to the end zone. 

Steelers Have A Very Full Tight End Room For 2024

Pat Freiermuth figures to have a big role in the new offense as Pittsburgh's top receiving tight end. He's struggled with injuries in his three years in the NFL, but there were also questions about him not being used properly with Canada at the helm. Pittsburgh also has Connor Heyward, Rodney Williams, and new signing MyCole Pruitt rounding out the tight end room.         

It will be interesting to see how this group shapes out as the 2024 season draws nearer. Heyward could potentially be moved to fullback. Williams started the 2023 season on the practice squad, but was elevated during Freiermuth's injury. He ended up playing a bunch on offense in addition to special teams. He was targeted twice, but didn't have a reception. Pruitt is similar to Washington in that his main skill set is blocking, and anything he does in the passing game is a bonus.

Russell Wilson threw three red zone touchdowns to tight end Adam Trautman in the 2023 season. In his last season in Seattle, he fed Gerald Everett three red zone touchdowns on four attempts. If Wilson is keen on feeding the tight ends in the red zone, Pittsburgh should be able to accommodate, with Freiermuth and Washington acting as big-bodied targets.    

Do you agree with Pittsburgh taking on the injury risk with Washington? Who are you most excited to see in the team's tight end group in 2024?