Darnell Washington hits practice field for Pittsburgh Steelers
Darnell Washington signed his rookie contract over the weekend, the third former Georgia player to do so after the 2023 NFL Draft, and immediately got to work with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Washington – as well as Broderick Jones and others Steelers selections – participated in rookie minicamp in Pittsburgh to start getting their feet wet with their new team. Afterwards, Washington spoke with reporters about the transition to the next level.
“I’d say I’m a fast learner,” Washington said. “Georgia was a program where we ran a pro-style offense, and in a way, it’s just different terminology so I’ve just got to remember what we called it at Georgia and switch it, things like that. But I’d say I’m a quick learner.”
“I’m not sure what they learn at other programs, but I feel pretty comfortable when I come here. So far so good,” he added.
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Washington added that conditioning is something he’s been working on ahead of rookie minicamp. Having run a 4.64 40-yard dash at 6-foot-7 and 264 pounds, his athleticism isn’t a question, but being as big as he is, conditioning and staying on the field for extended periods of time – not to mention avoiding injuries – can be a concern.
Washington was taken No. 93 overall in the third round of the draft. It was a fall that wasn’t expected but came due to some lingering questions about the former five-star’s injury history. During his time at Georgia, Washington battled several lower body injuries.
Still, with the Steelers being able to take him where they did, he’s got a chance to be one of the biggest steals of the draft.
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In three years at Georgia, Washington caught 45 career passes for 774 yards and three touchdowns. His numbers got better and better each year he spent on campus. As a freshman in 2020, he had seven catches in 10 games. The next year as a sophomore, he had 10 games in 11 games, and while his yardage total went down, he found his way into the end zone. Then, this past season, Washington broke through to top all of his previous career totals with 28 catches, 454 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
“I feel like everybody in college wants the ball more. Just a better opportunity, an easier way to get to the next level,” Washington said about his lack of catches in college. “But I, for me, when I wasn’t getting the ball more, I have to embrace something. And if I am not getting the ball, what am I doing? I’m blocking. So I just started embracing that more. And just kind of how that went from there.”
“That is his game: He thinks of himself as a lineman. That’s how he plays. He plays physical. He’s nasty,” his former Georgia and current Steelers teammate Broderick Jones added on the blocking ability of the tight end. “Yes, he is an athlete, he can go out and catch the ball, but the best part of his game is the way he blocks.”
