Darnell Washington Pittsburgh Steelers
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Coming out of high school, Darnell Washington was one of the highest-rated tight ends in the history recruiting websites. And at 6-foot-7 and 260-plus pounds, it wasn’t hard to see why.
Not only was Washington a mountain of a man as a high schooler, but he was also an impressively fluid athlete who was a (literally) massive weapon for Desert Pines High School in Nevada.
Ultimately, Washington committed to Georgia over a host of offers, including Alabama. He spent most of his college career playing second fiddle to Brock Bowers, who is now one of the best tight ends in the NFL. In three seasons with the Bulldogs, Washington caught just 45 passes for 774 passes for three touchdowns.
But he was also a force in the blocking game, and the Pittsburgh Steelers eventually selected him with the 93rd overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Through 2.5 seasons with the Steelers, Washington has caught only 18 passes for 209 yards and a touchdown and has yet again found himself in a “second” tight end role, this time behind Pat Freiermuth.
But, like in college, Washington has been a force as a blocker, even prompting some to wonder if he may have a future as an offensive tackle.
Pittsburgh’s official roster lists Washington at 6-7, 264 pounds. But unsurprisingly, fans and fellow players have been highly skeptical of that second number.
Now we know the real answer.
Steelers TE Darnell Washington Reveals His Actual Weight
Washington recently joined the St. Brown Brothers podcast to discuss a monster stiff-arm he put on Cincinnati Bengals safety Geno Stone over the weekend.
Around the 40-minute mark of the show, one of the brothers asks Washington what he actually weighs. Initially, he tells them that he’s unsure, but Equanimeous shoots back that the Steelers make him do weigh-ins every week.
Washington then sheepishly admits that at his last weigh-in, he checked in at 311 (!!!) pounds. For comparison’s sake, the average offensive tackle at the 2025 NFL Draft Combine weighed in at 319 pounds.
So, while Washington hasn’t quite developed into the receiving threat some hoped he might, it’s easy to see why the Steelers are happy to have him around.
Not only does Washington still provide (a slight) receiving threat, especially in the red zone, but he’s also like having an extra offensive lineman on the field that defenses need to account for in the pass game.
And good luck to any defensive back trying to tackle him.
Darnell Washington may not be one of the best tight ends in the league by traditional measures, but he’s certainly a valuable addition to any team lucky enough to have him.