Steelers A to Z: Is expanded role in future of 2nd year tight end Darnell Washington?

Editor’s note: From now until the first practice of training camp at Saint Vincent College, TribLive is running through the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 90-man roster, looking at each player and assessing his outlook for the 2024 season. The breakdown will run in alphabetical order with at least two players each day between June 14 and July 25. Contract data courtesy spotrac.com.

TE Darnell Washington

Experience/age: Second season/turns 23 in August

Contract status: $1,216,798 cap hit in 2024, signed through 2026

The past: Looking to strengthen their blocking at tight end, the Steelers selected the 6-foot-7, 264-pound Washington with the No. 93 overall pick in the 2023 draft. Washington joined first-rounder Broderick Jones as former Georgia Bulldogs players to be drafted by the Steelers that year.

Washington entered the draft process as a potential first-round draft pick, but teams were scared off by medical reports on his knees, leading to his slide to the third round.

Washington’s production at Georgia was overshadowed by eventual 2024 first-round pick Brock Bowers. In his final college season, Washington totaled 28 catches for 454 yards (a 16.2 average) and two touchdowns.

Those modest numbers, however, didn’t translate to the NFL in his rookie season. Washington appeared in all 17 games, starting seven, and he was used primarily as a blocker, the role he excelled in for the Bulldogs. He was targeted just 10 times and finished with seven catches for 61 yards (an 8.4 average) and no touchdowns.

2024 outlook: With the Steelers failing to add a legitimate No. 2 wide receiver in the offseason, the offense could feature more players at other positions getting increased targets, and Washington could be one of those options. He and starting tight end Pat Freiermuth could take on bigger roles in the offensive scheme under new coordinator Arthur Smith.

The Steelers value Washington as a blocker, and he’s a logical choice to be on the field to help the running game. But with his size and long wing span, he makes an inviting target in the red zone. Training camp and the preseason could be used to see whether the Steelers plan to get Washington more involved in the playmaking this season.