The Pittsburgh Steelers have made no effort to hide what the team wants to do in 2023: run the football and play tough defense. In the 2023 NFL Draft, the Steelers highlighted this and selected Broderick Jones and Joey Porter Jr. with the team's first two picks. Both players are known for physicality and Pittsburgh is hoping to use this class to steer the organization back to what it was known for all those years: physical play on both sides of the ball. Due to this, when a player who anoints himself as the "sixth lineman" falls to pick number 93, the Steelers knew they had to jump at the opportunity.
Kevin C. Cox | Credit: Getty Images
With their third-round pick, the Pittsburgh Steelers take Darnell Washington.
Steelers Select Darnell Washington "The Six Lineman"
Darnell Washington was the number one rated blocking tight end in the 2023 NFL Draft. He is player that was projected by some to go in the first or early second round, but was taken by the Steelers in the third round after falling because teams were worried about an apparent knee injury. One of his former collegiate teammates had a comment on what his game is like. Former Georgia Bulldogs and current Steelers teammate, Broderick Jones had this to say about Washington's game in an article from Triblive:
"He thinks of himself as a lineman. That's how he plays. He plays physical. He's nasty. Yes, he is an athlete. He can go out and catch the ball, but the best part of his game is the way he blocks."
Icon Sportswire
Steelers Selection Darnell Washington Led Tight Ends In Average Yards Per Catch Last Season At Georgia
Washington's Game Is Not Limited To Just Blocking
If you take a visit to Washington's Instagram, his bio even clues hints at how he feels about his game. The sixth lineman is something the Steelers were looking for, but he comes with more tools than just his ability to move someone off the line of scrimmage. Washington led tight ends in college in 2022 in average yards per catch at 16.2 yards.
Playing on a team with Brock Bowers, widely considered the nation's top receiving tight end, Washington took it upon himself to be the best sixth lineman he could be. He had this to say when asked about it:
"I feel like everybody in college wants the ball more... Just a better opportunity, an easier way to get to the next level. But I, for me, when I wasn't getting the ball more, I have to embrace something. And if I am not getting the ball, what am I doing? I'm blocking. So I just started embracing that more. And just kind of how that went from there."
Perry McIntyre
Darnell Washington hurdling an Oregon defender in 2022 at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Steelers' Running Game Will Get More Physical
The Steelers' 2021 first-round pick, Najee Harris, loves playing physically as well. He came out of Alabama after breaking Derrick Henry's records and the Steelers were looking to add someone that would show intensity and not back down from any challenge. A specimen like Washington helps you establish a power run game and then, when opposing defenses commit to that, hitting them in the passing game is where it hurts.
With any opposing defense so afraid of the run, Washington will become a tool for second-year quarterback, Kenny Pickett when it is time to hurt teams deep over the middle. With his ability to improve the passing game and the rushing game, Washington was a surefire pick and will do nothing but help the team improve over the next four years.
What do you think about the addition of Washington? Do you think he will help the Steelers more in the run or passing game? Let us know on social media or in the comments below.
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