The Pittsburgh Steelers' selection of Darnell Washington in the third-round of the 2023 NFL Draft was widely viewed as one of the best value picks of any team in the NFL. At 6'7" and 260 pounds, the former Georgia standout is equally impressive in his blocking ability as his pass catching. While many fans are eager to see him get on the field for the Steelers in 2023, he may not be an immediate contributor to the team's offense next season, according to Brian Batko of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
GENE J. PUSKAR / ASSOCIATED PRESS
Steelers Rookie TE, Darnell Washington During 2023 Offseason Workouts
In the latest edition of "Brian Batko's Steelers mailbag," Batko explains how the transition to playing the tight end position at the collegiate level is far different from that of the NFL.
"While Washington oozes potential, it’s worth keeping in mind how difficult it can be for rookie tight ends to make an impact. There’s so much that goes into that position, from blocking to route running and everything in between. Washington likely will need to be ahead of the curve in camp if he wants to be a contributor," said Batko.
What Are The Expectations For The Steelers' Rookie TE In 2023?
Batko does an excellent job of detailing the complexities that come along with playing tight end in the NFL. There is no denying that Washington possesses the necessary physical attributes to be successful, but will need an incredibly strong performance in both training camp and preseason in order to play significant snaps early next season. Furthermore, the Steelers already have a solid number-two tight in Zach Gentry, who has a very similar playing style to that of Washington.
As Batko describes, the Steelers are likely to run more "12 personnel" in 2023, meaning that there will be two tight ends on the field together. With that being said, Gentry may have the initial upper hand over Washington due to his experience within the team's offense. Ascending superstar, Pat Freiermuth will undoubtedly be the top target at the position, but the coaching staff will have an interesting choice to make as to who will be the main player behind him. It is important to point out that second-year player, Connor Heyward deserves to be in the conversation as well.
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Steelers Tight Ends, Pat Freiermuth And Zach Gentry During A Game In 2022
Who Plays The Most Snaps Next Season - Gentry, Heyward, Or Washington?
Much of the attention this offseason regarding positional battles for the Steelers has been devoted to left tackle with Dan Moore and Broderick Jones or cornerback with Levi Wallace and Joey Porter Jr. However, Batko would argue the competition for the primary backup tight end role may be worth keeping an eye on.
"I’m going tight end — No. 2 tight end, of course. Pat Freiermuth is the guy. But the Steelers started with two tight ends in four games last year, and three more with a tight end plus a fullback. Overall, their seventh-most frequent lineup last year included both Freiermuth and Zach Gentry," answered Batko.
With the Steelers placing a heavy emphasis on running the ball effectively in 2023, the coaching staff will likely call upon the tight end group extensively to help with blocking. In this facet, Gentry and Washington have the advantage over Heyward due to their size and physical style of play. Could the Steelers even possibly have both Gentry and Washington on the field together in certain situations? Certainly possible, as Freiermuth is not a particularly effective blocker.
For Heyward, he may end up serving a variety of different roles for the offense next season, such as the in-line tight end as well as fullback. For this reason, it is not a stretch to think that he will end up playing the most snaps out of the trio in 2023. In addition, due to Gentry and Washington possessing similar skill sets, the duo will likely battle with each other for playing time.
Regardless of who ends up seeing the field most, all three have an opportunity to prove their worth at some point this upcoming season. For Washington specifically, it may just end up being later in the season.
PERRY MCINTYRE
Steelers TE, Darnell Washington During His Time At Georgia
Final Thoughts
The job of the backup tight end is far from the most glamorous position on the football team, as it is more likely than not that the efforts of Gentry, Heyward, and Washington will not always show up in the box score. This is not to say that the role is not a crucial one, as tight ends have the unique ability to contribute to both the rushing and passing attack. As of now, Gentry and Heyward have an edge over Washington. However, it may not be long in to next season before the 2023 third-round pick emerges himself as a player who is simply too talented to not have on the field.
What are your thoughts on Batko's comments regarding the tight end position? Who do you think will end up playing the most snaps behind Freiermuth? Let us know in the comments!
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