Steelers draft grades: Pittsburgh steals the show in the 2023 NFL Draft
By Tommy Jaggi
Round 3 (pick 93): TE Darnell Washington
This is the pick that had me feeling like I could run through a brick wall. I was higher than most on Georgia tight end, Darnell Washington, but it's because I think the traits are exceptionally rare. Thanks to his remarkable blocking ability, Washington is a high-floor prospect who also has a ceiling that's through the roof.
Though he can be stiff in his movements, Washington has remarkable strength as a run blocker. He also has an outstanding frame for the passing game at 6'7'' and 264 pounds with a massive 83 3/4'' wingspan (98th percentile).
In addition to instantly becoming one of the biggest tight ends in the NFL, Washington also tested off the charts at the NFL Combine with a 4.64 40-yard dash, a 10'2 broad jump, and an insane 4.08 20-yard shuttle. Washington doesn't quite play like the athlete he tested as, but he's a natural receiver with the ball in the air and instantly has one of the biggest catch radiuses in the entire NFL.
We obviously didn't know about the medicals regarding his knee, but Darnell Washington brushed them off like it was nothing at all. He could be an X-Factor on offense thanks to his elite blocking ability and the ability to work the middle of the field. If the medicals were good, I would have taken him as high as pick 32.