In a few articles this off-season, we've discussed the possibility of Pittsburgh Steelers tight end, Pat Freiermuth entering the discussion of the league's top players at the position. He's coming off of an incredible rookie campaign with the Steelers in which he caught 60 receptions for 497 yards and 7 touchdowns in 2021 (34 of those receptions were for 1st downs). With his high 75.9% catch rate, Freiermuth proved that he can be relied upon during crucial downs for the Steelers offense. He'll likely be a big target for whoever is under center for the franchise in 2022.
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ESPN has been releasing articles periodically the past week and a half discussing top players at each position. The top 10 lists come from 50 surveyed NFL executives, players, coaches, and scouts across the league. Thursday's article highlighted the tight end position.
Did Freiermuth make the list? Not quite, but his designation on the list continues to show just how good of a season he really had during his rookie campaign. Freiermuth however, was listed under the "Honorable Mentions" category:
"Freiermuth impressed as a rookie with 60 catches for 497 yards and seven touchdowns while navigating Pittsburgh's vertically challenged offense," ESPN's Jeremy Fowler stated in the article. "He caught 75.9% of his targets, including 61.5% of his tight-window passes (second among tight ends, per NFL Next Gen Stats). "He's really, really impressed me," an AFC offensive coach said. "Just a good football player, has a feel for how to get open, athletic, tough. Needs to work on his blocking."
Add this to the loaded list of off-season praise for the young Steelers tight end who seems to be a star in the making. Earlier this off-season, NFL.com chose Freiermuth as a potential Pro Bowler for this upcoming season as well!
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)
“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," writer Nick Shook said about the team's promising young 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.”
The Steelers tight end has set high expectations for himself going into next season! Some think he very well could become a top player at his position. For him to have already put the league on notice by being discussed in the "honorable mentions" portion of a top 10 TE list that is conjured up by representatives of the NFL, just shows how much respect the second-year man out of Penn State has already earned across the league. And he's working on becoming an even more complete player at the tight end position in 2022.
NFL.com
“I showed some good things last year, but I think just taking my game to the next level and be more consistent in the run game and pass pro. In the off-season I really went after it," Freiermuth stated in an interview back in May with Teresa Varley of Steelers.com. "Coach T [Mike Tomlin] threw a challenge my way and I went after it.”
What do yinz think about Steelers TE Pat Freiermuth barely missing the top 10 tight end cut? Sound off in the comment section below, or on Facebook, Twitter, and/or Instagram!
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