Steelers NFL Draft Analysis: Godzilla Enters Tight End Room, Darnell Washington is a Monster

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The Pittsburgh Steelers continue to dominate the NFL Draft with Darnell Washington.

If you had told me the Pittsburgh Steelers got Joey Porter Jr. with the 32nd pick and Darnell Washington in a trade down to 93rd overall, I would’ve called you crazy. 

Washington took a very surprising fall on draft day, but just what did analysts have to think of the towering tight end from Georgia:

Dane Brugler: 30th overall, TE 4

“A three-year starter at Georgia, Washington was a traditional Y tight end in offensive coordinator Todd Monken’s offense, lining up primarily inline (66.2 percent) over his career. His college receiving stats (45 catches in 36 games) look more like single-season production as he was underutilized as a pass catcher, primarily because of Bowers’ impact and Washington’s value as a sixth offensive lineman. The leanest 270ish pounds I have ever seen on a football field, Washington executes different kinds of blocks with his athletic range and the physical hands to control, drive and steer defenders. As a receiver, he gives his quarterback a massive catching target and swallows the football, although his long legs can get tied up on redirection routes or when making sharp cuts out of breaks. Overall, Washington will need time to mature in areas, but he offers a unique set of skills to be a weapon as an NFL blocker as he continues to ascend as a pass catcher, especially in the red zone. He is a one-of-one talent with fascinating pro potential because of his rare length, play strength and body flexibility at his size.”

Lance Zierlein: 45th overall, TE 4

“In-line tight end with rare size and power at the point of attack to help soften defensive edges up front. Despite sloppy overall technique, Washington can be effective at moving defenders when he’s centered on his block. He must improve his footwork and hand usage, as NFL defenders will slip away from his clutches more easily if he’s unsound. He plods into his routes but catches with above-average focus and can be a handful to bring down. Washington could become a dominant run blocker with better technique, which makes me wonder if a team might give him a look at offensive tackle at some point in his career.”

My Analysis: 55th overall, TE 5

Positives: If you could build a tight end body in a lab, this is the picture-perfect example. He has a hulking build in the upper body, with a very pronounced lower body hip build and well proportioned for his height. Long strider who moves way faster than someone of his stature should be able to. A true seam buster that can get it above the rim and eat up quite a grass vs middle of the field open coverage looks. 

Should excel on vertical routes, as most of his wins came vertically up the seam, or on wheels outside the numbers where he could box out smaller defensive backs. Extremely difficult to bring down in the open field due to his balance and stature, which can make him quite the nightmare on short crossers and drag, while also being able to hurdle over defenders. 

Shows some flashes of being able to sink and drop his weight on those shorter timing routes. He is essentially an extra offensive lineman when it comes to his functional strength and the amount of push he can create in the run game. Ask him to combo, and he’ll wash out first level defenders in an instant. Ask him to pull, and he’ll create a huge lane in the 2nd level. Has a nice wide base in pass protection and keeps his feet firing, doesn’t lunge very often in pass protection. Will create nightmares along the goal line as it will be very hard to tell whether he stays in to block, or slip out for a pass.

Negatives: Route nuance is still in the development phase and could take quite a bit of time to iron out when it comes to manipulating coverage leverage with consistency. Doesn’t consistently drop his weight with enough urgency. Hands positioning is almost consistently wide, which leads to him often clapping on the ball, which often leads to him double catching easier passes and having throws travel through his hands on more difficult outside frame throws. 

Blocking technique still could use some work as he can often overextend and drop his head on contact, which can lead to him missing his landmark.

Bottom Line: While athletic testing could suggest a complete all-around TE, there are very real limitations with ball tracking, hand positioning and route nuance that suggest he could be more limited as a receiver than the overall measurables suggest, but will be much more valued by teams that ask their tight ends to block in both the pass and run game inline, while at the very least offering seam busting ability as a vertical threat inside.

NFL Comparison: Marcedes Lewis

Scheme fit: Inline blocker, vertical seam buster and goal line target.

Grade: A-

Very few complaints with this pick, especially with the fact they were able to get him a lot later than most had him mocked to go, which was a bit rich for me. Washington offers a ton as an inline blocker, which will allow Pat Freiermuth to play more detached to the line as a slot. While his receiving upside is a bit oversold, he can stretch the seam quite a bit as a vertical threat and his ability after the catch makes him a nightmare in the flat.

The only reason this pick didn’t earn higher than an A- was because of the concerns around his knee being a worry when swelling started to flare up after the combine and the fact that Clark Phillips was my highest-graded player left available, who would’ve solved the Steelers need for a slot corner. It’s still very possible they find one at the end of round four, though, and hey, with the way this draft has gone, nothing is impossible. Pittsburgh dominated Day 2 of the draft.

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