Steelers: Patrick Peterson sings the praises of Pittsburgh's newest weapon
The Pittsburgh Steelers signed a future Hall of Fame corner by way of Patrick Peterson during free agency, issuing a mark that Omar Khan wanted to add some flash, but appropriate substance. And that's exactly what Peterson brings, whether it be on his podcast or on the field, he has a flare about him, but […]
The Pittsburgh Steelers signed a future Hall of Fame corner by way of Patrick Peterson during free agency, issuing a mark that Omar Khan wanted to add some flash, but appropriate substance.
And that's exactly what Peterson brings, whether it be on his podcast or on the field, he has a flare about him, but without sacrificing the level of play that you would come to expect from an experienced veteran.
Well, in his latest set of comments, Peterson has said something sure to rile up all of Steeler nation. Let's see what that was.
Agreed Pat Pete, agreed. Sitting as high as 36 on the consensus board, Washington would have been a fine pick at 32nd overall. But some injury concerns caused him to slide over the weekend.
So much so, that the Steelers were actually able to trade down from their 80th overall selection, adding a fourth-round pick that would become Nate Herbig (another undervalued pick) before selecting Washington at 93rd overall, a place nearly three times later than his expected positioning.
Here is what Dane Brugler of The Athletic had to say about Washington:
A three-year starter at Georgia, Washington was a traditional Y tight end in offensive coordinator Todd Monken’s offense, lining up primarily inline (66.2 percent) over his career. His college receiving stats (45 catches in 36 games) look more like single-season production as he was underutilized as a pass catcher, primarily because of Bowers’ impact and Washington’s value as a sixth offensive lineman. The leanest 270ish pounds I have ever seen on a football field, Washington executes different kinds of blocks with his athletic range and the physical hands to control, drive and steer defenders. As a receiver, he gives his quarterback a massive catching target and swallows the football, although his long legs can get tied up on redirection routes or when making sharp cuts out of breaks. Overall, Washington will need time to mature in areas, but he offers a unique set of skills to be a weapon as an NFL blocker as he continues to ascend as a pass catcher, especially in the red zone. He is a one-of-one talent with fascinating pro potential because of his rare length, play strength and body flexibility at his size.
I don't know about you, but Peterson's tweet sparked a thought of what the 2023 Steelers will look like. He and Joey Porter Jr. on the outside, Minkah playing center field, Watt and Heyward disrupting the pass, and Washington, Najee, and offensive co. driving up and down the field. Can't wait.
