Who Should I Start? Jonnu Smith or Darnell Washington
Week 1 Projections
| Fant. Pts. |
Rush. Yds. |
Rush TD |
Rec. | Rec. Yds. |
Rec TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 2.4 | 21.5 | 0.1 |
Jonnu Smith News
Wednesday, March 4, 2:14 PM
The Pittsburgh Steelers are releasing tight end Jonnu Smith on Wednesday, sources told Adam Schefter of ESPN. The move will save the Steelers $7 million against the salary cap, and Smith will now become an unrestricted free agent. Smith, 30, was a first-time Pro Bowler in 2024 with the Miami Dolphins, putting up career-highs in catches (88), targets (111), receiving yards (884), and touchdowns (eight) in 17 games. He came crashing back down to Earth in 2025 with Pittsburgh while sharing targets with Pat Freiermuth, though, as he finished with only 38 receptions for 222 yards and two touchdowns on 54 targets in 17 regular-season games. Smith may never be as good as he was in 2024 in Miami, but a move out of the Steel City is a good thing for his fantasy value going into the 2026 campaign. Smith's departure is also great news for Freiermuth's ceiling.
Week 1 Projections
| Fant. Pts. |
Rush. Yds. |
Rush TD |
Rec. | Rec. Yds. |
Rec TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Darnell Washington News
Wednesday, February 25, 10:56 AM
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Darnell Washington (forearm) ended the 2025 season with surgery on his broken forearm, but he is looking to bounce back in the final year of his contract in 2026. Despite some highlight reel stiff arms and one TE8 finish in Week 11, Washington mainly played behind fellow tight ends Pat Freiermuth and Jonnu Smith. The Steelers are expected to move on from Smith during free agency, which is likely to benefit Washington. Despite Washington's size, he was on the field for more than just run blocking, boasting a 40% route run participation rate and hauled in 31 of his 43 targets for 364 yards and a touchdown in 2025. However, the 24-year-old out of Georgia primarily holds value only in deep dynasty leagues with tight end premium scoring due to his position behind Freiermuth on the depth chart.
Jonnu Smith vs. Darnell Washington
Still trying to decide between Smith and Washington? Check on the latest news to make sure both players are active and healthy. Our PPR projections show that Jonnu Smith is projected to score 5.3 points this week while Darnell Washington is projected to score 0.0 points.
Latest Fantasy News
