5 Steelers that have vastly improved their play after a poor start to the season

Darnell Washington is starting to get caught up to the speed of the NFL

It's hard to stand out when your offense is almost dead last in every statistical category in the NFL. Darnell Washington was seen as a steal this past spring during the 2023 NFL Draft after the Steelers took him late in the third round. He has some work to accomplish in his game, but he is a physical freak who prides himself on his blocking ability.

Pat Freiermuth has been dealing with injuries on and off this season, and that allowed Washington to get more snaps on offense. Not much has happened in terms of his role as a pass-catching option for Pittsburgh yet. He got some opportunities to this point of the season, but Washington still needs more chances in that regard.

Broderick Jones is now the starting right tackle on the offensive line for the Steelers. That has boosted the black-and-gold play in the trenches over the past several weeks. Washington has routinely found different ways to attack players that line up across from him. Plenty of pancake blocks and throwing players aside have been witnessed.

Freiermuth is now back and the opportunities going to someone like Washington in the passing game are going to be even more limited. Mike Tomlin and his coaching staff might not give him many chances there, but they seem confident in his blocking skills. Keep an eye on Washington to keep an expanding role to close out his rookie season.