Pat Freiermuth is a tight end for the Pittsburgh Steelers. He played tight end and linebacker in high school while also playing basketball. Freiermuth played college football at Penn State, compiling 92 catches for 1,185 yards and 16 touchdowns in three seasons.
Freiermuth did not post exceptional workout metrics in the predraft process leading up to the 2021 NFL Draft. He clocked a 52nd-percentile 40-time of 4.77. He also boasts 32nd-percentile arm length and average hand size, resulting an unimpressive wingspan. The Pittsburgh Steelers selected him in the second round (2.23) of the Draft.
Freiermuth was not an every-down player for the Steelers as a rookie, as he played only 61.8-percent of their offensive snaps. Despite only 343 routes run, the 20th-most at the tight end position, Freiermuth led all tight ends with 20 red-zone targets as a rookie. He was No. 12 with 60 receptions but No. 19 with 497 receiving yards. Freiermuth commanded a 13-percent Target Share and saw 9.8-percent of the Steelers' Air Yards. He was No. 12 in YAC with 278. It would be fair to say Freiermuth did not enjoy top-level quarterback play. Target Accuracy on passes thrown to him was No.16, and his Target Quality Rating was No.19. Freiermuth, however, did generate a No.8 QB Rating When Targeted.
Freiermuth expereinced a step back in production this season, and missed five games due to a hamstring injury. The Steelers let Kenny Pickett go, and brought in Russell Wilson and Justin Fields to overhaul the quarterback room. Diontae Johnson was traded away, and rookie Roman Wilson was drafted to take his place. Freiermuth will be relied upon again as this team lacks pass catcher depth after George Pickens.
