The Pittsburgh Steelers have been in search for their next "Heath Miller" at the tight end position since he retired in the 2016 NFL off-season. The Steelers have gone through guys like Ladarius Green, Jesse James, Vance McDonald, and Eric Ebron at the position, but haven't had any luck with finding and keeping a guy long-term. Well, I think the Steelers have finally found their Miller replacement...
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end, Pat Freiermuth (88) scores one of his two touchdowns during the first half of an NFL preseason game vs. the Detroit Lions in 2021 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, PA. (AP Photo/Fred Vuich)
TE Pat Freiermuth was drafted just last year in the 2021 NFL Draft, but had an incredibly promising rookie season. Freiermuth seems to be on a career trajectory that will deem him productive enough to become the team's next reliable tight end. His stock is shooting straight up right now, the Steelers just have to find the right quarterback to get him the ball!
In an article by Bleacher Report released Wednesday morning, writer Joe Tansey provided a few “Hot Takes” for the Steelers offense for the upcoming 2022 season. His last take was titled, "Pat Freiermuth Enters Premier Tight End Conversation":
"Be prepared to hear Pat Freiermuth's name a lot more in 2022.The 2021 second-round pick had 497 yards and seven touchdowns in his rookie season.
He would be the reason that Johnson or Claypool do not reach the 1,000-yard mark because of how often he could be targeted by Pickett.
Freiermuth caught 60 of his 79 targets over 16 games last season. He averaged 8.3 yards per catch and proved to be a reliable threat in the red zone."
Tansey spoke about the fantasy football impact that Freiermuth could make this season as well, so pay attention, fantasy football players!
"Freiermuth should already have the attention of fantasy football players because of his scoring output.He could add to his fantasy value and stock among NFL tight ends if he adds a few hundred yards to his receiving total. That is possible if he becomes a reliable target across the middle for his rookie quarterback."
Whether it be rookie QB Kenny Pickett or the veteran guy who took the majority of QB1 snaps in Organized Team Activities (OTAs) and minicamp, veteran free agent signee, Mitch Trubisky, Freiermuth should be a comforting target all season long! He already seems to be building a solid connection with Pickett!
Pittsburgh Steelers QB Kenny Pickett working Gun 3 play low then reset with shoulder tilt to Steelers TE Pat Freiermuth running Dover Route catching Depth/Angle/Speed to judge tempo/trajectory. @TEST_Football @kennypickett10 @pat_fry5 @steelers #steelers #nfl pic.twitter.com/0GMbXrqNtB
— Tony Racioppi (@Tonyrazz03) July 7, 2022
Photo / @JSKO_PHOTO (Twitter)
Could Freiermuth be in the conversation with the league's top tight ends next season? Tansey and Bleacher Report sure think so!
"Freiermuth's high catch rate and red-zone presence could take him from the middle tier of NFL tight ends to as high as one of the top five players at his position if everything goes right in 2022."
Freiermuth posted a 75.9% catch rate in his rookie campaign, 9 tenths higher than Miller's catch rate in his rookie season with the Steelers. In fact, Miller only posted a better catch rate in 2 of his 11 years in the black and gold.
Freiermuth knows the areas he needs to improve in and he's aiming high for the 2022 season!
Credit: Joe Sargent/Getty Images
In an interview with Teresa Varley of Steelers.com back in May, Freiermuth stated the areas he needs to improve in:
“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. Coach T [Mike Tomlin] threw a challenge my way and I went after it.”
The expectations are high in Freiermuth's second season, but I don't think he'll have any issues meeting those expectations, because he's exceeded all expectations in his rookie campaign!
What do yinz think about Bleacher Report's comments about TE Pat Freiermuth? Sound off in the comment section below, or on Facebook, Twitter, and/or Instagram!
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