ESPN's Jeremy Fowler continues his series in which NFL executives, coaches, and scouts rank the top 10 players at every positional group. On Friday, Fowler released the tight end rankings... and Pittsburgh Steelers fans won't be pleased.
The top of the list is marked with budding superstars Brock Bowers (No. 1) and Trey McBride (No. 2), followed by veteran George Kittle. Unfortunately, neither Pat Freiermuth nor Darnell Washington cracked the top 10.
Freiermuth, however, earned him a spot in the honorable mentions, alongside the likes of Bills' Dalton Kincaid, Cowboys' Jake Ferguson, Browns' Harold Fanin Jr., and Bears' Cole Kmet.
There was also a category titled "Also receiving votes", which included players T.J. Hockenson, Isaiah Likely, and Dalton Schultz, Dallas Goedert, Oronde Gadsden, Juwan Johnson, and Brenton Strange.
But of the 22 total tight ends mentioned in the article, Darnell Washington was not among them... and the disrespect has gone too far.
Darnell Washington deserves an honorable mention in ESPN's tight end rankings
Overall, I don't have many complaints about the tight end list, voted on by execs, coaches, and scouts. I agree that Bowers is already the best tight end in the league, thanks to his remarkable receiving chops and ability after the catch. Players No. 4 through No. 8 are also riddled with talent, as Sam LaPorta, Tyler Warren, Tucker Kraft, Colston Loveland, and Kyle Pitts are matchup problems.
The bottom two spots on the list are iffy, as Mark Andrews and Travis Kelce have shown signs of aging and are no longer the same dominant forces they once were.
Still, I don't take issue with Freiermuth narrowly missing the list and being listed with the honorable mentions. What I do have trouble with is not seeing Washington named, even though 22 other NFL tight ends were.
Washington will likely never have great receiving production due to the nature of his role. He's a 6'7'', 300-plus-pound 'Y' tight end who can serve as an inline blocker and act as an extra offensive tackle.
When he does receive looks in the passing game, however, he showcases soft, natural hands while proving to be a nightmare to bring down after the catch. Considering his role and the pedestrian passing game last season, 31 receptions and 364 yards in 2025 is nothing to scoff at.
Meanwhile, Washington has graded out as a top-20 tight end for two straight years, according to Pro Football Focus. His 71.2 overall grade in 2024 was good for 17th, while his 71.0 grade last year earned him the 19th-best grade at the position.
I didn't expect either Freiermuth or Washington to rank inside the top ten, but I believed both should have been listed in the honorable mentions. The fact that NFL coaches, executives, and scouts don't see the value Darnell Washington offers the Pittsburgh Steelers is troubling.
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