With another touchdown yesterday, TE Darnell Washington is trying to continue reminding the Steelers he can catch the ball, too. Having acquired Jonnu Smith to pair with Pat Freiermuth, it’s hard to see much opportunity for him to do so this season. It has always been opportunity, though, that has prevented him from having a bigger role, Washington says.
Speaking to reporters yesterday, via the team’s website, Washington admitted his receiving ability was “the biggest question” about his game. “Not even just last season but coming out of the draft. Everybody was just like, ‘Oh, he’s a blocking tight end. He’s a blocking tight end’. But I never really had a chance to showcase my pass catching or just me getting the ball”.
A third-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, Darnell Washington spent most of his college career as teammates with a tight end who recently set an NFL rookie receptions record. Not just for tight ends, but for all rookies. Brock Bowers caught 112 passes last year. That’s significantly more than Washington has in his college and pro careers combined.
Last season, Washington caught 19 passes on 25 targets, producing 200 yards with one touchdown. Adding the occasional stiff-arm and hurdle, he also showed he can produce after the catch for a big man. Having slimmed down some this offseason—while saying he could play tackle—he is ready for anything they throw in his direction.
“I feel like that’s an area I’m gonna have to continue improving in and keep displaying out here on the practice field so it shows up on Sundays”, Darnell Washington said of the receiving aspect of his game. “Personally, I feel like I’ve always been a good pass catcher, going back to high school. I never blocked”, Washington added. “I feel like I’ve always been able to catch the ball. It’s just kind of hard to showcase it when you’re very good at something else”. But he never complains, he said, knowing what the Steelers have in the room.
Pat Freiermuth caught 65 passes for 653 yards and seven touchdowns last year for the Steelers. In Miami, Jonnu Smith caught 88 passes for 884 yards and eight touchdowns, making the Pro Bowl. With such receiving threats at tight end, how much opportunity is there for Washington?
The Steelers, or at least Arthur Smith and his degenerate thoughts, want to be a tight-end-heavy offense. They are even working on using 04 personnel, which involves four tight ends and one running back. So it is possible Washington will see some receiving action. Show a run look and then throw a pass—that’s who they want to be this season. With Washington’s blocking role, he is guaranteed plenty of playing time. And it would only be an asset if the Steelers could make defenses worry about him as a receiver, too.
