With final roster cuts a little over one week away, an analyst believes Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Darnell Washington could be on the chopping block.
In an article naming veterans around the NFL who could get cut, CBS Sports' Jeff Kerr named Washington for the Steelers.
Here's why he thinks that:
The Steelers have options at tight end as well. Pat Freiermuth is the starter and Jonnu Smith was acquired in an offseason trade, so they are the clear roster locks. Washington is a nice player, but Connor Heyward can play fullback and be used as an extra blocker.
If the Steelers keep four tight ends, Washington is on the roster. If they keep three, the third spot is between Washington and Heyward. The 6-foot-7 Washington is also a good red zone target, making the decision tougher.
There is just no way the Steelers cut Washington, who has shown plenty of promise as a pass-catcher and red-zone target, as well as a blocker. Washington has also looked much better this offseason.
"I was down on Darnell his first two years, because I viewed him as nothing more than a blocking tight end with bad knees," Steelers beat writer Mark Kaboly said. "If he was going to get through that first contract, he was going to be lucky.
"He shows up for OTAs. Almost immediately, I'm like, 'Woah, this dude's different.' He's not just different looking, but just how he was playing, running routes, maybe confidence. He pushed that into minicamp, he pushed that into training camp, and we see the fruits of his labor have now come to the forefront in the preseason game... This guy has all of a sudden emerged as a potential weapon."
Furthermore, Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith loves to utilize tight ends, leaving plenty of room for Washington to have a significant role even with Pat Freiermuth and Jonnu Smith ahead of him on the depth chart.
There is just no way the Steelers are going to give up on Washington for Connor Heyward because of his ability to play fullback.
Heyward's spot on the roster will depend upon Pittsburgh carrying four tight ends, not Washington's.
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