Behind the Steel Curtain on Darnell Washington

ArticleAre the young Steelers living up to their new money?
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While Freiermuth is the more prolific pass catcher, Washington has proven he can create explosive plays when targeted, and he has quickly been regarded as one of the better blocking tight ends in the league... he's got their fifth-highest run-blocking grade among tight ends with at least 80 run-blocking snaps this season. Increase that threshold to 100 snaps, and he has the second-highest grade among 20 tight ends with that kind of workload.
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Washington's elite run-blocking grade and creative deployment justify his contract value.

Washington has established himself as one of the better blocking tight ends in the league with PFF's second-highest run-blocking grade among 20 tight ends with 100+ snaps this season; the source notes he can create explosive plays when targeted and has untapped potential in the passing game despite modest receiving stats (15 rec, 156 yards, 2 TDs), with the Steelers finding creative ways to deploy him as a blocker in both run and pass concepts, including escort blocking on screens/flats and rub concepts to open space for receivers.

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