Darnell Washington vs Juwan Johnson: Who Should You Start?
Darnell Washington and Juwan Johnson are both viable fantasy tight ends heading into 2026, but their 2025 production tells two different stories. Darnell Washington averaged 3.6 PPG across 16 games with the Pittsburgh Steelers, while Juwan Johnson posted 8.3 PPG in 17 appearances for the New Orleans Saints.
A 4.7-PPG gap gives Juwan Johnson the edge on paper, but paper does not account for Thursday night matchups, weather games, or a star defender returning from injury. The real question is not who was better in 2025, but who is the better start this specific week.
Juwan Johnson is the volume tight end in this matchup with 77 receptions for 889 yards, while Darnell Washington profiles as a more touchdown-dependent spike play (1 scores on 31 catches). In weeks where Darnell Washington finds the end zone he out-scores Juwan Johnson, but the floor gap is real.
Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Darnell Washington sits Week 9 while Juwan Johnson is off Week 12. If you are deciding between the two as a season-long roster hold, the staggered byes actually work in your favor.
