The tight end position is rife for “matchup nightmares” for opposing defenses. There are players at the position who are often too big for defensive backs to cover or shed blocks from and also too fast for linebackers to keep up with in coverage consistently.

There may not be a bigger mismatch for opposing defenses at the position than the Pittsburgh Steelers‘ Darnell Washington.

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Pittsburgh drafted Washington in the third round, No. 93 overall in the 2023 NFL Draft out of Georgia. As a rookie, Washington played in less than half of the offensive snaps for the Steelers.

That made sense as the former Bulldog was viewed as a prospect with elite traits but needing some refinement in technique to stick in the NFL. In his third season, Washington’s taken a step in his development.

He’s on pace for career-highs across the board as a receiver as his role’s increased on offense under coordinator Arthur Smith. He’ll likely be featured heavily in the Steelers’ “Sunday Night Football” matchup on the road versus the Green Bay Packers.

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Don’t worry, he won’t be hard to spot when he’s on the field. He’s one of the biggest players on the field in any game he’s playing.

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Best images of the 2025 NFL season

Week 1: Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18) makes a catch for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. The play was originally ruled an incomplete pass, but the call was overturned. Despite TeSlaa’s effort, the Packers won the game 27-13.

1 / 4

Best images of the 2025 NFL season

Week 1: Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18) makes a catch for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. The play was originally ruled an incomplete pass, but the call was overturned. Despite TeSlaa’s effort, the Packers won the game 27-13.

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Best images of the 2025 NFL season

Week 1: The New England Patriots’ Robert Spillane (14) and Christian Elliss (53) tackle Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer (87) during the second half at Gillette Stadium. The Raiders won the game, 20-13.

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Best images of the 2025 NFL season

Week 1: New York Giants quarterback Russell Wilson (3) fumbles the ball on a tackle by Washington Commanders safety Will Harris (3) during the first quarter at Northwest Stadium. It was a rough Giants debut for Wilson (17 of 37 passing for 168 yards) as the Commanders won the game, 21-6.

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Best images of the 2025 NFL season

Week 1: Fireworks go off before the NFL Kickoff Game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys at Lincoln Financial Field. The defending Super Bowl champion Eagles opened the season with a 24-20 victory over their longtime NFC East rivals.

Darnell Washington size, height, weight

Washington was the biggest tight end selected in his draft class at 6-foot-7 and 264 pounds. Only New York Jets pick Zack Kuntz could match his height at 6-foot-7.

Pittsburgh still lists his weight at 264 pounds on their roster and have since he was drafted in 2023. But that’s not necessarily true.

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Steelers tight ends coach Alfredo Roberts said last season that Washington weighed over 300 pounds. Former Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson corroborated that and said Washington weighed 315 pounds towards the end of the season.

NFL broadcasters have enjoyed questioning Washington’s listed weight on their roster. Three-time Defensive Player of the Year J.J. Watt – now an analyst for CBS – did not think that was correct when asked during the Steelers-Browns game in Week 6.