Now that the last game of the 2023 NFL season has come to a conclusion, the entire NFL is in full-blown offseason mode. As both the Steelers, as well as we here at the Steel Curtain Network, prepare for the start of the 2024 league years and the associated free agency period, as well as the 2024 NFL draft, it’s good before we get too far into the process of looking at next season to look back at some various things from the 2023 Steelers.

As I continue to work through the Exit Interviews article series of covering every player from the 2023 Steelers and their status for 2024, another fun idea is to check out last year‘s rookie class and what was said about them before the 2023 NFL draft. With all the analysis looking at 2024, sometimes it’s fun just to see how much those profiling players got things right, or wrong.

Continuing on, here are some of the various draft breakdowns for tight end Darnell Washington last offseason heading into the 2023 NFL draft.

Pro Football Network

Full report HERE

Current Draft Projection for Georgia TE Darnell Washington

With his overwhelming build and physical skill set, Washington will undoubtedly earn Day 2 interest in the 2023 NFL Draft. He grades out in the mid-Day 2 range as a prospect, and his NFL Combine testing numbers should only reinforce that outcome. Having said that, Washington isn’t a slam-dunk TE prospect. There’s an obvious role in which he can thrive, but there are also pressing limitations on tape.

Although Washington has a dominating frame with elite length and mass, his on-field explosiveness is above-average at best, and far below the elite mark. He’s a slow-striding athlete who lacks great burst, and he doesn’t have much lateral movement freedom or fluidity in his hips. Washington’s linear, lumbering mold actively constrains his upside as a route runner and separator and limits the number of ways he can be used.

While Washington may test as an excellent athlete, his functional athleticism is more confined. For that reason, he’s not going to be an elite, all-encompassing receiving threat at the NFL level. That said, Washington’s unique size, strength, and physicality do open a clear path to success.

As a receiver, Washington combines a dominating catch radius and wingspan with high-level catching instincts, body control, timing, box-out ability, and indisputable hand strength. And once in open space as a RAC threat, he’s a bulldozer who’s nearly impossible to stop with solo tackles.

Washington can churn through opponents with his leg drive, and that same size and physicality make him a hyper-elite blocker who essentially serves as an extra lineman.

With his limitations in the functional athleticism department, Washington may never be a true TE1. He doesn’t have the natural separation ability to be a target funnel, and that lowers his ceiling as a prospect. But at the very least, Washington can be a superb rotational asset as a red-zone threat and short-range outlet with seam capabilities.

Washington’s elite blocking ability will get him on the field early and often. And for teams that employ a heavy dose of 12 personnel and value multi-phase tight ends, Washington’s value is especially high. He has a projected niche as a receiver and game-changing ability as a blocker, and at his ceiling, he could become an above-average starter in the NFL.

NFL.com

Full report HERE

Overview

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.

Strengths

• Massive frame and shredded physique.
• Mismatches linebackers at the point of attack.
• Pure power to torque and displace defender.
• Creates considerable advantage near goal line.
• Size requires careful coverage consideration.
• Able to adjust to off-target throws and catch in congestion.

Weaknesses

• Footwork into block fits needs work.
• Gets into blocks with wide hands.
• Waist-bender and head-ducker at point of attack.
• Angles to second level lack accuracy.
• Stiff-kneed, limiting speed to attack seam.
• Unable to sink and break off routes underneath.

Bleacher Report

Full report HERE

OVERALL

Darnell Washington has a unique build of traits and athletic profile that could help him become a star with a bit of refinement.

It all starts with his size and movement skills. Washington is an overwhelming figure at 6’7″, 270 pounds, and he has the strength to back up that frame. As a blocker, Washington crushes his opponents when he catches them clean. His naturally high point of attack causes him issues at times, but even then, Washington is such a big, strong force that he makes it work. That same strength shows up in the passing game at the line of scrimmage and at the top of his routes. It’s difficult to ever knock Washington off his path.

As an athlete, Washington won’t sprint away from defenders like, say, Kyle Pitts, but he’s an awesome mover for his frame. He plays with good speed and surprisingly nimble feet when it comes to maneuvering on free-flowing routes such as seam routes, intermediate crossers, sail routes and shallow crossers. The same is true when the ball is in his hands. Washington has nifty burst and does well to minimize contact when he can, a trait that gives him wonderful balance when paired with his strength.

That being said, Washington is still a ball of clay. His footwork as a route-runner can be sluggish on timing routes, namely sharp in- and out-breaking routes in the underneath area. He struggles to settle and burst in those instances. Additionally, Washington isn’t as comfortable going up for the ball as his frame suggests. There are flashes but equally as many confusing reps in which Washington fails to box out a defender and win the right to the ball.

Washington is the home run swing at tight end in this draft class. Players with his size and athletic ability do not come around often. It may take a year or two before Washington isn’t so rough around the edges, but he has all the tools to be a Pro Bowl tight end. Washington would fit best in a run-heavy system that can prioritize his blocking skills and ability to roam in space on play action.

So there are some of the draft profiles for Darnell Washington last year ahead of the 2023 NFL draft. Now with a season under his belt, how accurate do you think these profiles were? Is Washington living up to what he was believed to be ahead of a draft? Is he more than what was expected? Please make sure to leave your thoughts in the comments below.