Darnell Washington 2026 fantasy outlook and rest-of-season projection
- Age
- 25
- Height / weight
- 6'7", 264 lb
- Experience
- 4th season
- Drafted
- 2023 R3, #93
2026 Season
- PPR PPG
- 6.7
- Pos rank
- TE3
- Rostered
- 3%
Week 5 vs. Colts, Sun Oct 11, 1:00 PM ET 7th vs. TEs, favorable
Darnell Washington Rest-of-Season Outlook
Efficient TE1 every week
Preseason Projection vs. Reality
He finished TE39 last season at 4.6 points per game.
Our Take After Week 4
Through 4 games he's TE3 at 6.7 PPR points per game, against 4.6 over 16 games last season (TE39). He's running ahead of last season's pace.
Last season he ranked 31st of 81 in route participation (44.0%), 36th of 82 in target share (8.2%) and 22nd of 82 in efficiency (1.43 yards per route run). His points come from his efficiency. Target share is the soft spot. Aaron Rodgers is his quarterback.
He's TE2 on the depth chart, so his value depends on the players ahead of him.
The next favorable matchups are the Colts in Week 5 (7th against TEs) and the Saints in Week 7 (3rd against TEs).
Read our preseason outlook (June 2026)
Published June 17, 2026. Kept for reference; the take above replaces it.
The arrow is pointing up. Washington's snap rate climbed to 57.2% in 2025 while his target share nearly doubled year over year, from 5.4% to 8.2%, and 43 looks turned into 31 catches for 364 yards. The efficiency underneath is real: 1.43 yards per route run, a 0.316 EPA per play, a 60.5% success rate, and 7.39 yards after the catch per reception from a 6-foot-7, 264-pound frame that breaks tackles. He even drew eight red-zone targets despite playing only 13 games.
The problem is the math above him. A new four-year extension locks in his role, but Pat Freiermuth, DK Metcalf, and Michael Pittman all sit ahead in the pecking order, which keeps his weekly volume thin and one touchdown is hard to bank on. Projected for roughly 33 catches and 345 yards, he's a TE3 worth stashing only in tight-end-premium or deep formats where his per-route production can quietly pay off.
What Drives His Outlook
His 2025 rank among the 81 tight ends who played at least six games. Each bar is one tight end, best on the left; his is highlighted.
Route participation
Target share
Efficiency
- Average depth of target
- 5.6
- Drop rate
- 9.3%
- Red-zone targets
- 8
- Route participation
- 44.0%
- YAC per reception
- 7.4
What Could Change His Value
Upside
- A soft stretchThe Colts in Week 5 and the Saints in Week 7 are top-10 matchups for TEs.Wk 5 IND, 7thWk 6 TB, 11thWk 7 NO, 3rdWk 8 CLE, 10th
- Strong efficiency1.43 yards per route run, 22nd of 82 TEs in 2025.
Risk
- RoleHe's TE2 on the depth chart.
- Ball security2 fumbles in 2025.
- DropsA 9.3% drop rate in 2025.
All Darnell Washington stats & analysis
TEs like Darnell Washington
TE1Harold FanninBrowns12.6 PPG
TE2Pat FreiermuthSteelers9.7 PPG
TE3You are hereDarnell WashingtonSteelers6.7 PPG
TE4Blake WhiteheartBrowns2.8 PPG
TE5Robert TonyanSteelers0.3 PPGDarnell Washington Fantasy Outlook FAQ
What is Darnell Washington's fantasy outlook for the rest of the 2026 season?
Darnell Washington projects as an efficient TE1 every week for the rest of the 2026 season: a weekly starter in TE-premium, 12-team and 10-team leagues. His efficiency (1.43 yards per route run, 22nd of 82 TEs in 2025) supports that. His target share (8.2% target share, 36th of 82 TEs in 2025) holds him back. See his live rank in Redraft Command.
What is Darnell Washington's rest-of-season fantasy ranking?
Darnell Washington is the TE3 in PPR points per game through Week 4. That puts him in TE1 territory, a weekly starter in 12-team leagues.
What is Darnell Washington's projected role going forward?
Darnell Washington is TE2 on the depth chart, so a bigger role needs an injury or a change ahead of him.
Will Darnell Washington get more targets?
Darnell Washington's targets are holding steady: 4.5 a game over his last two games against 3.3 for the season. His share of the offense is what his fantasy value rides on.
What is Darnell Washington's fantasy football upside?
Darnell Washington's upside: his ceiling this season is 11.7 PPR points (Week 4, TE1), his efficiency (1.43 yards per route run, 22nd of 82 TEs in 2025) gives him a weekly floor to build on and the Colts in Week 5 and the Saints in Week 7 are top-10 matchups for TEs.
What could hurt Darnell Washington's fantasy value?
Darnell Washington's risks: his target share (8.2% target share, 36th of 82 TEs in 2025) limits his scoring. See his injury status and history.
How difficult is Darnell Washington's remaining fantasy schedule?
Favorable: of his next seven games, 4 come against a top-10 matchup for TEs and 1 against one of the stingiest defenses, by PPR points allowed to the position.