One of the things that the Pittsburgh Steelers have tried to do over the last couple of years is create an elite tight-end core. In 2021, they selected Pat Freiermuth in hopes that he could become the next big thing. Well, he has done very well and continues to improve every year. In this year's draft, they took a shot at Darnell Washington in hopes that they can create one of the most dynamic duos in the entire NFL. Having these two alone should make for a great tight-end room, but it is worth noting that they have Zach Gentry along with Connor Heyward to solidify this position.
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Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth (88) reacts with wide receiver Diontae Johnson (18).
Steelers' Newest Rookie Washington Does Not Believe
But there is one tight end in the NFL that I believe stands out above the rest. That is Travis Kelce for the Kansas City Chiefs. With two Super Bowls and eight Pro Bowl appearances, Kelce is starting to put his name in the conversation to be the greatest tight end ever. In 2022, Kelce would have his seventh straight 1,000-yard plus receiving season as well as scoring 12 touchdowns. Although Kelce has been able to do these great things while in the NFL, Steelers' newest rookie Washington does not believe he is a top-five tight end in the league.
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Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) celebrates after Noah Gray makes a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sunday, Oct. 2, 2022, in Tampa, Fla.
Recently, Washington appeared on an episode of the All Things Covered podcast hosted by Bryant McFadden and Patrick Peterson. It was there that he was asked about his list of the top five tight ends in the league. He would name his teammate Freiermuth, George Kittle, Darren Waller, Mark Andrews, and Zach Ertz as the five best. He would leave one important name off that list, which would be Kelce. Washington's reasoning behind this, he doesn't believe that he is a true tight end and is more or less a bigger receiver.
"He's good, he's great, he's put up the numbers. To me he is just a bigger receiver." Washington would then say, "That is just their offense and that is just him."
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Georgia tight end Darnell Washington somehow fell to the Steelers late in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
With this take, Washington wasn't necessarily trying to discredit Kelce, rather than stating that he doesn't believe that he is a true tight end. He feels that Kelce, along with Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts and the University of Georgia's Brock Bowers fit into this same category. Washington would go on to state how he believes that statistically, you have to put your hand in the dirt and block a certain percentage to be considered a tight end. This makes sense as Washington's nickname in Pittsburgh is actually "the sixth lineman." Very fitting how much he believes in tight ends needing to be able to block.
Although the original answer was a shock to McFadden and Peterson, they both stated that it is his opinion no matter what, even if he didn't believe Kelce was up there in the rankings due to not being considered a true tight end.
Kevin Snyder
Darnell Washington makes a crushing block against an Arkansas defender in an away game in 2022.
Being more of a blocking tight end however, could be beneficial for the Steelers rather than getting another receiver. Since one of Pittsburgh's biggest weaknesses was the offensive line, maybe having a sixth offensive lineman could be a good thing. Not to discredit Washington either he has the potential as well to go and make a play on the ball like a receiver.
So, what do you think Steeler Nation? Do you think that it will be good to have an "extra" offensive lineman? Who do you think are the five best tight ends in the league right now? Let me know in the comments below!
