Patriots defense expects challenge from Steelers’ ‘conflict piece’

Add the likes of running back Jaylen Warren , tight end Pat Freiermuth and other highly-drafted players like OT Troy Fautanu and WR Michael Pittman Jr. and you get a competent group of players. All of them will present a challenge to the New England Patriots defense in their own right in this Sunday's matchup between the two clubs.

Only one of them, however, was labeled a "conflict piece" by Patriots defensive coordinator Zak Kuhr: Darnell Washington .

"A big one," Kuhr explained. "He's athletic. Obviously, his size and strength are no joke. He's great in the run game, like we've seen on tape. He did it last year and he did it last week. He gets the ball in his hands, he can make the first one miss if you're not [playing] great technique taking him down. He is a great piece to have. He is a conflict piece."