With the 55th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, the Pittsburgh Steelers draft Pat Freiermuth, tight end out of Penn State. The tight end is a complete player, with the ability to thrive as a receiver and blocker. However, he is not a good enough blocker to play offensive line, which is what the Steelers should have drafted. Let’s take a look at what Pat Freiermuth brings to Pittsburgh.
Pat Freiermuth Highlights
Pat Freiermuth NFL Draft Profile and Stats
Pat Freiermuth
Position: Tight End
Height: 6’5″
Weight: 258 lbs
Age: 22
College: Penn State
Pat Freiermuth 2020 Stats
Games: 4
Receptions: 23
Yards: 310
Touchdowns: 1
Pat Freiermuth Draft Profile
Strengths
Pat Freiermuth was a three-year contributor at Penn State. He is a very big and athletic player and can serve as a go-to man in a pinch or a do or die situation. In 2020, he transformed from someone who made a lot of catches, to someone who gained big yardage on his catches. Freiermuth is both a dominant route-runner and blocker, likely leading to him being one of the next great Big Ten tight ends in the NFL.
Negatives
He can fall into that “boom or bust” category on a game by game basis. When he’s on a roll, he’s good for 100+ yards and 2-3 TDs without a sweat, but when he struggles – he struggles. He doesn’t possess the speed you’d want out of an athletic tight end. Freiermuth also doesn’t have the softest hands, dropping eight of 100 catchable targets.
RELATED | Full Pat Freiermuth NFL Draft Profile, Highlights and Stats
What to Expect From Pat Freiermuth in 2021
Pat Freiermuth is a great all-around tight end who really thrives in the red zone. He can be compared to the Ravens’ Mark Andrews, as both are sound in essentially every single area. He fits the city of Pittsburgh and should be liked by the Steeler fans quickly. However, tight end is not the biggest need on the Steelers’ board. The team entered the draft needing offensive line help in a major way, and they have drafted running back and tight end instead. Freiermuth will not garner a ton of targets his rookie year and, on top of that, the Steelers offense as a whole could look a lot like they did at the end of last season, due to zero time to pass up front.
