Steelers can fill two needs with one prospect
This hybrid is foreign to the NFL
NFL football is analogous to a dynamic game of chess.
The sport sees cyclical tendencies on offense and defense, with schemes and players adapting on the fly.
Recent years have witnessed the inception of smaller bodies, faster testing, and positionless assignments across the league.
This year, the league welcomes one prospect that truly garners the "unicorn" label.
Meet Darnell Washington.
Ok we get it, he's huge, but how well does he move?
A jaw-dropping 40 time, Washington would one-up himself by running a 4.08 20-yard shuttle, which is a drill designed to test an athlete's agility.
Now that we have established the specimen that is Washington, let's see how that transitions to actual football and more importantly, how he fits in Pittsburgh.
Since he's labeled as a tight end, catching is a priority.
No worries there.
The aptly named "gauntlet" drill, the purpose is to test an athlete's ability to catch with their hands while mimicking a route through the defense.
A difficult endeavor given the pace of the drill, you want to see the prospect make clean catches, react acutely, and run at a game-like tempo.
Washington passed with flying colors, adding some flare later on in the workout with an immaculate sideline grab.
Ok, let's pause for a second. I know what your thinking Pittsburgh fans. "Yea this guy is cool and all, but we have a good tight end in Pat Freiermuth, why would we use a top 32 pick on another"?
Washington is no regular tight end, instead, he's a fusion of tackle and pass catcher. Possessing the height and strength of a premier right tackle, with the hands and athleticism of a slot receiver.
His NFL comp? There isn't one.
Pittsburgh needs help up front, but they also need someone who can create mismatches over the middle of the field, stretching the seam vertically.
Washington becomes an extra tackle in the run game, but without going into jumbo sets that limit the capacity of playcalling. This would create nightmares for defensive coordinators during the week.
If you match in light personnel, now Washington and Freiermuth will pound you running strongside of out 12 personnel (one back, two tight ends).
But should you stay in your base defense, now you have a linebacker or safety try and guard this unparalleled athlete.
While 17th overall (Pittsburgh's first pick in the draft) is a little rich even for me, 32nd is the target spot for the Steelers.
Mocked at 44th on the consensus board, Washington's combine will firmly bump him up, with how far yet to be determined.
Pittsburgh's draft needs cast a wide net, particularly on the other side of the ball at linebacker and corner. No one would bat an eye should they go in that direction at 32.
But hey, some two-for-ones are just too good to pass up.
Featured image via © Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
