Georgia tight end Darnell Washington was taken by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft with pick No. 93.
However, he should’ve been a guy who was taken much sooner in the draft.
With the 93rd overall pick, Pittsburgh prevented Washington from falling, but only after seven other tight ends had already been selected. Why, therefore, did such a well-known player from such a well-known program almost go unnoticed until Day 3 of the draft?
The culprit appears to be medical issues.
Washington joins former Georgia teammate Broderick Jones, who was taken with the No. 14 pick in the draft. He is a 6-foot-7, 264-pound tight end out of Las Vegas, Nevada. As a junior, Washington caught 28 passes for 454 yards and three touchdowns. He was a Second-Team All-SEC selection for the Bulldogs.
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Washington was one of the most unique players in the draft, given his impossible size. He is also the best blocking tight end in the draft, often being used as a sixth offensive lineman for the Bulldogs.
Despite his size, and potential as a dominant in-line blocker, Washington was not prolific with the ball in his hands, as he never registered no more than 460 receiving yards in a season.
The league has become incredibly speedy and pass-happy, so it’s not hard to see why a bigger, less explosive receiving option tumbled down the board.
In Pittsburgh, of course, Washington may have found an ideal NFL fit. He will have a chance to show teams that they screwed up big time by passing on him.
