Darnell

Washington

Freiermuth was the second-most targeted pass-catcher for Justin Fields, used mostly with short-area receptions. MyCole Pruitt and Darnell Washington each had a catch, but neither will be fantasy relevant. Recently extended, Freiermuth will be a top-three option in the Steelers offense, though there may be a lack of red zone targets as seen in Week 1. Value Freiermuth as a TE2 for Week 2 against the Broncos.

New OC Arthur Smith is employing a heavy tight end rotation, featuring Freiermuth (12 first-team snaps), Darnell Washington (eight first-team snaps) and MyCole Pruitt (six first-team snaps). PFF’s Nathan Jahnke notes Freiermuth was worryingly removed from the field for two-tight end sets, which poses a significant threat to his 2024 fantasy relevance.

Pelissero added Freiermuth will probably miss time beyond Week 7 after suffering a setback in his recovery from a hamstring injury this week in practice. He can be safely dropped in al formats and might not suit up until late in the season, if at all. Darnell Washington has taken on much of Freiermuth’s snap share but is not a fantasy option in the low-octane Steelers offense.

Washington was expected to step into a bigger role with Pat Freiermuth (hamstring) sidelined, but it was Connor Heyward who led the tight ends with four targets on the afternoon. With the Steelers now heading into their Week 6 bye, it’s possible Freiermuth returns for Week 7 against the Rams.

It was a rough day even before Freiermuth’s injury, as he was getting blown up as a blocker and got called for offensive pass interference. He had three catches for all of seven yards on four catches. Already playing banged up for several weeks, Freiermuth could end up missing time. Intriguing rookie Darnell Washington would be the next man up in fantasy, though there is zero fantasy upside in this offense at the moment.

Washington didn’t practice Wednesday and was limited Thursday before getting in a full practice and being removed from the injury report. The rookie tight end has played 43% of offensive snaps through the first two weeks.

Gentry was thought to be the primary blocking tight end entering the 2023 season after receiving a contract extension this offseason. The team then drafted athletic specimen tight end Darnell Washington in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft, making Gentry more or less obsolete. The release signals trust in their rookie tight end to contribute from the jump.

Koroza noted that Washington hadn’t seen the ball much in camp, but when he had, it was in the red zone. He expects similar usage for the rookie in the regular season. Koroza counted eight receptions for Washington in 11-on-11 drills, four of which were touchdowns. That all checks out for the hulking rookie. He was used extensively on play-action and as a blocker at Georgia but was firmly stuck behind future first-round pick Brock Bowers on the depth chart. Washington isn’t on the redraft radar, though he could emerge as a touchdown vulture to the Steelers players fantasy managers are currently drafting.

Washington (6’7/264) doesn’t enter the NFL with a profile similar to many elite tight ends. Before 2022, he had just 17 catches for 320 yards and a lone touchdown. The five-star recruit did, however, log over 200 blocking snaps in his freshman and sophomore seasons. Then, as a junior, Washington broke out with a 28-452-4 receiving line. He led all Power Five tight ends with a least 30 targets in yards per reception and only two players averaged more yards after the catch. One of the two players ahead of him was fellow Georgia tight end Brock Bowers, who played a major role in limiting Washington to a part-time role. Washington isn’t going to win with crafty route-running or immaculate hands, but he leverages his monstrous frame to win in the passing game and is a downright punishing blocker. His No. 15 all-time RAS among tight ends speaks to his absurd mismatch potential. However, he won’t see much work as a pass-catcher in 2023. Sitting behind Pat Freiermuth, Washington will have to earn his snaps as a blocker and red zone threat.

Washington had some late first-round and early Day 2 projections going into the draft. The injury concerns were enough to push him out of the second round and have him at risk of falling out of Day 2. Oregon State’s Luke Musgrave and Penn State TE Brenton Strange were both drafted ahead of Washington in Round 2.