Arguably one of the biggest steals in the 2023 NFL Draft was the Pittsburgh Steelers picking up the electric tight end, Darnell Washington. Washington at pick 93 was the best bank for your buck and could end up being the best tight end selected in the entire draft. But, the selection of him will leave many questions about the three other players that the Steelers have at the position.
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University of Georgia tight end Darnell Washington makes incredible one-handed catch at the Combine.
Steelers' Offensive Coordinator Matt Canada's Press Conference
One player that has been raising questions is Connor Heyward. Heyward, the Steelers sixth round pick of 2022, surprised everyone when he played extremely well during the final stretch of 2022. Although he played well at tight end, he may end up moving to fullback. At 5'11, 230 pounds, Heyward has the perfect build to be a solid fullback in the NFL.
During Steelers' Offensive Coordinator, Matt Canada's press conference about Washington on Friday night, this question arose. Canada would respond by stating:
"Yeah, that's probably his body type, what he can do." Canada then said, "But the things he can do, the way we can move him around probably in that maybe not calling him a fullback, but I think that his skill set fits that role."
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Connor Heyward is tackled by defensive back Chris Steele in a drill at Steelers training camp at Saint Vincent College.
Looking back at his time with Michigan State, Heyward was a running back. Even before Heyward was drafted, he wasn't too sure what he would be playing in the NFL. Looking back at his time before being drafted he worked out as a running back, fullback, and tight end. Heyward had this to say looking back at his draft process:
"After the combine, I was focused on getting ready for my Pro Day at Michigan State. Every team was there. There were some positional coaches working me out. I did a lot of fullback stuff, running back stuff, tight end stuff. I was running routes. I was tired by the end of the day. I was lining up at receiver, tight end, running back. All of it, just trying to show everything I could do on the offensive side of the ball. It was just an opportunity to show what I could do."
AP Photo/Doug Murray
Michigan State's Connor Heyward (11) runs with the ball under pressure from Miami safety Bubba Bolden (21) during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept 18, 2021 in Miami Gardens, Fla.
The flexibility of Heyward is something that the Steelers will have to use to their advantage. But, the even greater advantage is what Pittsburgh will be able to do with their two tight ends in Washington and Pat Freiermuth. These two together could be one of the craziest duos in all of the NFL and gives Kenny Pickett many options to target in the passing game.
Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth (#88) warms up prior to a 2022 preseason game at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, PA | PHOTO CREDIT: JORDAN SCHOFIELD / STEELERNATION (TWITTER: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Overall, this draft couldn't have gone any better for the Steelers and the movement of Heyward to fullback will be something to monitor. Something else to look at will be what happens with Zach Gentry in 2023. With him moving to the third tight end position for the Steelers, it had to be discouraging and he may to have an opportunity elsewhere.
So, what do you think Steeler Nation? Do you think that Connor Heyward will be making the position change? Let me know in the comments below!
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