The Pittsburgh Steelers have been wandering through NFL Drafts and free agency for years, searching for their next Heath Miller at the tight end position since he retired in the 2016 off-season. After the Steelers spent their second round pick on Pat Freiermuth out of Penn State in the 2021 NFL Draft, it sure seems like the team has accomplished just that.
Pat Freiermuth and Heath Miller have a pregame chat. #Steelers pic.twitter.com/y3cPspDwjF
— Ryan Recker (@RyanRecker) November 8, 2021
Freiermuth started the 2021 season as TE1b alongside Eric Ebron when the first depth chart was released prior to the preseason. Freiermuth took over the position during the season as Ebron dealt with an injury riddled year, missing nine total games with hamstring and knee injuries. Freiermuth's athleticism and pass-catching ability just exploded onto the scene in his rookie campaign.
PITTSBURGH, PA - DECEMBER 05: Kendrick Green #53 and Pat Freiermuth #88 of the Pittsburgh Steelers celebrate after scoring a two-point conversion during the second half on December 5, 2021 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, PA. (Photo by Michael Longo/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Freiermuth finished his stellar rookie campaign with 60 receptions for 497 yards and 7 touchdowns in 2021, 34 of those receptions were for 1st downs. The rookie's catch rate was a really solid 75.9%. Those stats are comparable to Miller's rookie year with the Steelers in 2005, and in a lot of ways, Freiermuth exceeds Miller's statistics.
However, I guess you could say that the TE position has evolved greatly since the '05 season. With that being said, Miller finished his rookie year with 39 receptions for 459 yards and 6 touchdowns, with 22 receptions accounting for 1st downs, and a 75% catch rate. The stats are almost identical between the two.
Emilee Chinn/Getty Images
I think anything but a "sophomore slump" is coming for Freiermuth in Year 2. I have extremely high expectations for the former Penn State standout, no matter who is throwing him the ball, and I'm not alone in that thinking. Freiermuth was listed as the Steelers representative in an article recently released by NFL.com, that pegged one player from each AFC team that could potentially be a first time Pro Bowler in 2022.
NFL.com writer, Nick Shook said about the Steelers' sure-handed tight end:
"Najee Harris made the Pro Bowl after shouldering a heavy offensive load in his first season, so the next-best option on the Steelers' roster is Freiermuth, who fit in seamlessly as a rookie and looks to be on a path toward becoming the franchise’s next beloved tight end. A new quarterback will make the going a little rougher, at least initially, but a reliable tight end is often a young passer's best friend.I expect Freiermuth to see a ton of targets, no matter who plays quarterback for Pittsburgh in 2022, and to be in the conversation for the Pro Bowl, even with some stiff competition (including Mark Andrews and Travis Kelce) awaiting him."
Apologies Penn State, this promises to be a most prolific Pa. pass connection – Ben Roethlisberger to Pat Freiermuth for six. Here, Freiermuth (88) scores on of his two touchdowns during the first half the NFL preseason game vs. the Lions. (AP Photo/Fred Vuich)AP
Could Freiermuth unseat Andrews or Kelce as one of the AFC tight ends in the Pro Bowl after next season? Being selected doesn't mean too much, but Andrews and Kelce are arguably two of the best tight ends in the game, and being mentioned with those two guys should mean a great deal!
What do yinz think about TE Pat Freiermuth being listed as the Steelers' 2022 first time Pro Bowler? Let us know in the comment section below, or on Facebook, Twitter, and/or Instagram!
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