Steelers' Darnell Washington No Longer Considered A Steal: "Not When I Saw His Knees"

The Pittsburgh Steelers, like every team during the NFL Draft process, is focused on not only getting impact players, but utilizing value when drafting them. It's difficult to find players like Tom Brady and Brock Purdy during late picks in the draft, but not impossible. This mindset has been the mantra for the Steelers under new General Manager, Omar Khan, as he constantly looks for ways to play the draft board to get the guys who are built to be Steelers. 

In his first season with the Steelers, Khan's biggest steals included Broderick Jones and Darnell Washington, while in 2024, he is being praised for guys like Zach Frazier and Payton Wilson. Having hype when being drafted is one thing, but showing off that value on the field is where your legacy is made and where the term "steal" comes to mind. Though it is still too early to tell for most players drafted by Khan what that legacy looks like, there is one player who is losing his status of a "steal," according to one Steelers Insider. 

Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, discussed in his weekly chat that he thinks the luster has begun to come off of Washington after his first season in Pittsburgh.

Reader: "Last year you said Washington was a steal. Now after his first year, do you still feel that way?"
Dulac: "Not when I saw his knees."

Washington has been plagued by injury during his football career, dating all the way back to his time at Georgia. Since 2020, the 6'7" 265 lb. tight end missed only four games to injury, but suffered recurring foot and ankle ailments that placed him on injury reports. These ailments weren't of much concern for the Steelers at the time, who reassured that if they weren't comfortable with his medical, they wouldn't have drafted him. The knee concerns, which Dulac touched on, put Washington on the injury report several times, but never caused him to miss games at the pro level.

Washington's Future With the Steelers

Even though Washington is now only headed into his second season as a pro, the expectations only continue to mount. This is mainly with the impending extension to Pat Freiermuth, who enters into 2024 on the final year of his rookie contract. Though the intention is to re-sign Freiermuth long-term, an ascension by Washington would allow the Steelers some flexibility in that situation. 

The Steelers also hope to use Washington as the big red zone target that he was in Georgia. In a scheme like Arthur Smith's that heavily features the use of tight ends, it's important to have that solid number two player to go along with Freiermuth at that position.

Last season in Atlanta under Arthur Smith, the top two tight ends in Kyle Pitts and backup Jonnu Smith, combined for 103 catches, 1,249 yards, and 6 total touchdowns. With Washington's length, and the usage of play-action in Smith's scheme, Washington can have a massive impact (if he can stay on the field). There will be pressure by Connor Heyward and MyCole Pruitt to earn offensive snaps if Washington can't make a leap from the 7 catches for 61 yards he had in 2023. The hope is that those struggles occurred due to poor play-calling and quarterback play last season, not Washington's ability to produce, but he will need to have a massive 2024 campaign if he wishes to regain his title as a draft day steal by the Steelers. 

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