Steelers rookie receives rave review from star teammate
Tight end figures to be a position of strength for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2023. The 1-2 punch of Pat Freiermuth and rookie Darnell Washington is enough to give even the best defensive coordinators hesitation in game-planning. Friermuth took a notable step forward last year despite going from a future Hall of Fame quarterback as […]
Tight end figures to be a position of strength for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2023. The 1-2 punch of Pat Freiermuth and rookie Darnell Washington is enough to give even the best defensive coordinators hesitation in game-planning.
Friermuth took a notable step forward last year despite going from a future Hall of Fame quarterback as a rookie to a rookie quarterback in year two. He knows the grind for young players at the position.
In his eyes, his newest teammate in Washington seems to be well on his way to a similar trajectory.
Pittsburgh wrapped up mandatory minicamp this week, but not before Washington made a positive impression on his more experienced running mate at tight end.
"Darnell's really good man," Freiermuth said after practice. "He's putting it all together. The past two days he's looked really good."
The talent of Washington is undeniable. He averaged over 16 yards per reception last year at Georgia, where he was also the No. 2 tight end. His top-tier athleticism for his size made him such a tantalizing prospect, and the blocking prowess he already possesses at such a young age will help him contribute immediately.
But the NFL is a different beast, and it's always fast for first-year players. Washington getting the speed of practice down as early as possible will allow him opportunities to do what he does best when the pads come on for real in the fall.
A month separates the Washington from his first training camp in Latrobe. Freiermuth's early impression of the 21-year old bodes well for the two to be doing damage together before long.
Featured image via © Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
