Participant: TE Darnell Washington
Inventory Worth: Up
Reasoning: A yr and a half into his profession, Darnell Washington is beginning to fulfill the imaginative and prescient many Steelers followers had for him. Whereas he’s not making big contributions to the passing recreation, he now has alternatives to make performs. And he continues to develop as a blocker, having arguably the very best recreation of his profession final Monday night time.
It could be good if there have been less complicated means by which one may quantify blocking statistically. You may see a “pancake” stat some random individual or outlet retains however making use of that constantly throughout the NFL will not be presently out there. And that could be a grey space that may be very subjective in sure instances anyway. However I’m nonetheless assured Darnell Washington dines on a stack of pancakes greater than most tight ends.
Look, it’s only a incontrovertible fact that it’s more durable to note a very good block than it’s to note a very good catch. In viewing soccer, the spectator naturally follows the ball, and the blocker doesn’t have it. In that sense, particularly, it’s good to see Darnell Washington seeing extra alternatives within the passing recreation.
Now, Washington solely received one goal final week, which he secured for a catch and run of 29 yards. However it’s additionally an accumulation of alternatives that’s typically trending upward. In simply eight video games, he already has extra targets than final season. He has 10 catches on 12 targets for 120 yards and a landing. And he has made some important performs, showcasing a hurdle along with a stiff arm.
The Steelers are by no means going to make use of Darnell Washington as a major goal. With that stated, there may be nothing stopping him from having 25-30 catches and some touchdowns per season along with his normal blocking. Popping out of the bye week, constructing a rapport with Russell Wilson, it will likely be fascinating to see how the second half of the season shapes up for him.
Because the season progresses, Steelers gamers’ shares rise and fall. The character of the analysis differs with the time of yr, with in-season issues being extra usually short-term. Issues within the offseason usually have broader implications, significantly when gamers lose their jobs, or the workforce indicators somebody. This time of yr is stuffed with transactions, whether or not minor or main.
A nasty recreation, a brand new contract, an damage, a promotion—any variety of issues have an effect on a participant’s worth. Consider it as a inventory in the marketplace, primarily based on hypothesis. You’ll really feel higher a couple of participant after a very good recreation, or worse after a nasty one. Some inventory updates are minor, whereas others are more likely to be fairly drastic, so keep in mind the diploma. I’ll do my greatest to clarify the character of that within the reasoning part of every column.
