Who Should I Start? Darnell Washington or Theo Johnson

Monday, June 17, 2:40 PM

Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Darnell Washington struggled last year during spring workouts, and nothing has changed a full year later. Washington has proven himself as a solid blocking tight end, but he's not going to be a 30-catch guy based on what we've seen from him in his second offseason. Even in offensive coordinator Arthur Smith's tight-end-friendly scheme, fantasy managers in deeper leagues shouldn't expect Washington to have much more offensive output than he had last year, when he went for seven catches on 10 targets for 61 yards and no touchdowns in 17 regular-season games (seven starts). The 22-year-old former third-round pick last year out of Georgia doesn't figure to be on the fantasy radar in redraft leagues in 2024 unless Pat Freiermuth misses time with an injury.

Thursday, November 21, 5:34 PM

New York Giants rookie tight end Theo Johnson (back) was listed as a full participant in Thursday's practice after he went down as limited on the injury report on Wednesday. Johnson has been dealing with a back injury of late but didn't miss the Week 10 loss to the Carolina Panthers in Germany and had extra time to heal up during last week's bye. He had three catches for a season-high 51 yards and the first touchdown of his NFL career in the Week 9 loss to the division-rival Washington Commanders. Johnson has some intriguing long-term upside for those in dynasty/keeper leagues, but he hasn't really moved the needle as more of a TE3 in his first year in the league. The 23-year-old's fantasy stock in 2024 will likely be negatively affected by quarterback Daniel Jones' benching, as well as the impending return of receiver Darius Slayton (concussion).