When tight end Darnell Washington was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2023, it was primarily due to his exceptional blocking prowess.
Throughout his tenure with the team, he has effectively leveraged his size and physicality against opposing defenders. An often overlooked aspect of his skillset, however, is his ability to contribute offensively.
"This past season, Washington had the opportunity to be prominently featured in Arthur Smith's offense. He made the most of every target he received, demonstrating his improved performance. This sentiment was echoed in Thomas Valentine's latest article for Pro Football Focus, where he named Washington as one of the most improved players of the 2024 season."
"Washington featured more frequently in the passing game in 2024, catching 19 passes for 200 yards and a touchdown. He still has a way to go before he’s the finished product, but Washington improved his grade from 49.8 in 2023 to 73.4 in 2024 and still showed his value as one of the best blocking tight ends in the game."
Although his numbers may not appear extraordinary, Washington still achieved a passer rating of 95.4 when targeted and a reception percentage of 76%. This was the third highest among Steeler pass catchers with 25 or more targets.
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