In recent years, the Pittsburgh Steelers have invested heavily in their offensive line. They’ve spent a lot of high-quality draft capital on players like Broderick Jones, Troy Fautanu and Zach Frazier. While some of those players are developing nicely, others haven’t shown as much promise. However, they should have help blocking in the form of tight end Darnell Washington. Unfortunately, he doesn’t play offensive tackle, but Washington thinks he could make that position change at some point.
“I feel like I can, but right now, I’m a tight end,” Washington said Saturday via the team’s website. “So, I’m gonna focus on that. Later on down the road or any time in the road, if they ask for me to do that, I’m gonna still do my best ability. I’m gonna do it with lots of confidence. I feel like I can, if I wanted to.”
Switching from tight end to offensive tackle sounds like a tall task, but Washington is a rare breed. He’s a massive man, and his blocking has always stood out. This year in particular, he’s been dominating in blocking drills during training camp.
Washington isn’t a tackle yet, though. He’s still a tight end, and he’s working to get better at that position. However, Washington made it clear that he’s not resistant to the idea of switching positions at some point in his career.
“No, not at all. I’m an open-minded dude. That comes in day-to-day life, football standpoint, relationship standpoint. I’m just an open-minded dude.”
The Steelers aren’t unfamiliar with moving a tight end to offensive tackle. It’s been a long time, but in the 1970s, they took Larry Brown, a tight end, and switched him to offensive tackle. Brown played with the Steelers from 1971-84. He spent the first six years of his career at tight end. Then, the Steelers moved him to tackle, and he spent eight more years there, making his lone Pro Bowl.
Could Washington follow in Brown’s footsteps? It’s entirely possible. His open-mindedness is a good first step. If he put on some weight, he’d have the size for the position. There are other nuances that he’d have to learn, but he’s already a solid blocker.
The Steelers would likely only move Washington if he fails at tight end first. So far, he’s continued to improve there. Last year, he made strides as a pass catcher. If he continues to show growth in that department, then Washington could stick at tight end. However, if falters, he could make a position change to extend his career.
