When the Pittsburgh Steelers drafted TE Darnell Washington in 2023, people pictured a battering ram of a blocker who could also threaten teams through the air. He certainly embraced a blocking role as a rookie, earning a 66.7 pass-blocking grade and a 53.2 run-blocking grade from Pro Football Focus. It was how he stayed on the field as he was only targeted 10 times in the passing game, making seven catches and 61 yards.
Unfortunately, that telegraphed that Washington would be blocking. He logged a total of 336 run-blocking snaps per PFF. No team ever wants to be predictable.