The Steelers fan base underappreciates Darnell Washington. It’s easy to understand why. Through two seasons, the 23-year-old tight end has only 26 receptions for 261 yards and 1 TD. However, “Mount Washington” is a much more valuable player than a simple box score would indicate, and has already solidified himself as one of the best blocking tight ends in the league.
Per Pro Football Focus, he ranked as the 15th-best among qualified run blockers in football last season. He’s an excellent complement to Pat Freiermuth, whose primary role is to move the chains.
He’s also a perfect fit in offensive coordinator Arthur Smith’s run-first philosophy.
“There’s not a guy who can dominate at the Y position quite like Darnell has all year,” Smith said last December.
Another in-line tight end who’s dominated that aspect for years is 18-year veteran, and former Aaron Rodgers’ teammate, Marcedes Lewis.
Lewis, a first-round pick by the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2006, is widely regarded as one of the top blocking tight ends of all time.
Happy Birthday Marcedes Lewis
The 15-year veteran, who signed a 2-year $8 million extension this offseason, turns 37 today
No one tosses defenders like Big Dawgpic.twitter.com/ve8LYbEW5n
— IKE Packers Podcast (@IKE_Packers) May 19, 2021
Coincidentally, Lewis played with rumored future Steelers QB Rodgers from 2018 through 2022. He only caught 57 passes in five years, but their relationship was built upon reliability in pass pro. Lewis’ efforts in that phase of the game endeared him to the future Hall of Fame signal caller.
Back in a 2021 interview, Rodgers spoke highly of his former tight end.
“What are the old commercials, the, ‘This costs this much and this costs this much and then this is priceless?’” Rodgers said during the 2021 season. “That’s how I feel about Big Dog. His salary is ‘X.’ He’s been on the team this many years. But his true value is priceless. Because it’s so much more than just his on-the-field production. It’s his presence, his personality, his leadership, his countenance, his energy [and] everything he brings to the squad.”
From 2019-22, Lewis was graded by PFF as one of the best pass-blocking tight ends in the NFL, averaging a 71.2 grade. To compare, Washington has an average pass block grade of 70.1 over two years.
Rodgers may not be a Steeler yet, but all signs point to him being in a Steelers uniform in Week 1. If and when he ultimately does sign with the black and gold, don’t be surprised if Washington becomes his new “big dog,” even for just a season.
