The Dallas Cowboys should promptly consider reaching out to the Pittsburgh Steelers after their significant trade with the Miami Dolphins involving cornerback Jalen Ramsey and tight end Jonnu Smith. I previously wrote about how this deal could enable the Cowboys to trade Luke Schoonmaker to the Dolphins in exchange for draft picks. Now, it’s time to explore the possibility of an upgrade at the tight end position.
In summary, the Cowboys should consider making a move for Steelers’ tight end Darnell Washington, who might be available since Pittsburgh acquired Jonnu Smith. The Cowboys showed strong interest in Washington during the 2023 NFL Draft, even inviting him for one of their Top 30 pre-draft visits. Washington eventually fell to the third round, mainly due to concerns over a knee injury. However, he has remained healthy throughout his professional career.
While Washington’s receiving statistics haven’t been as impressive as Schoonmaker’s, he has excelled as a blocker. The Steelers often assign him to block defensive ends, a task he handles with ease. His physical style aligns well with the 12 and 13 personnel groupings anticipated by head coach Brian Schottenheimer and offensive coordinator Klayton Adams.
Adams, in particular, might appreciate this addition, given his background with an Arizona Cardinals offense that heavily relied on tight ends as blockers in schemes like counter, which involves two pulling blockers. If the Cowboys think Washington is superior to Schoonmaker in run blocking, exploring this trade scenario is worthwhile. It’s hard to find someone more physically imposing than Washington.
For Pittsburgh, with Pat Freiermuth and Smith on the roster, Washington is, at best, the third-string tight end. Since he doesn’t contribute to special teams, the Steelers might not demand much in return. I reached out to A to Z Sports’ Steelers analyst, Rob Gregson, for his insights on what the Cowboys would gain with Washington.
The Steelers spent third-round draft capital on Washington two years ago, but the return hasn’t met expectations. That said, it’s not entirely Washington’s fault. He demonstrated improvement in the passing game last year but has mostly been utilized in 12 or 13 personnel packages, focusing on the run game during his initial two seasons.
When given the opportunity, Washington has been effective with the ball or as a target. His targets more than doubled in 2024, and his receiving yards increased from 61 in 2023 to 200 last season. While he still needs refinement as a route runner, he is a remarkable athlete, standing over 6-7, weighing nearly 300 pounds, and consistently showcasing sub-4.7 speed. For a Cowboys team that previously traded for another Steelers playmaker, adding a player who is essentially a sixth offensive lineman with potential as a receiver is a logical move for this version of the Cowboys’ offense.
