Steelers scouting report: TE Pat Freiermuth is well-rounded, but unspectacular

The Steelers finally drafted a tight end high. Pat Freiermuth is a well-rounded player but doesn’t have terrific upside. 

Fans finally got their wish with the 55th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. It had been 14 years since the Steelers had spent as much as a 3rd round pick on the tight end position. This year, Pittsburgh finally invested draft capital at tight end – investing their 2nd round draft choice in Penn State’s Pat Freiermuth.

Freiermuth missed most of his 2020 campaign with a shoulder injury, but he was quite productive prior to his injury and was widely regarded as the second-best tight end in the draft behind Florida’s Kyle Pitts. I’ve watched a great deal of Freiermuth before he was drafted by the Steelers, and I did a much deeper dive after the draft. Here’s my scouting report on the big tight end:

Strengths:

• Prototypical height and weight for the position (6’5”, 251 pounds)
• Has the play strength to hold up at the point of attack
• A willing blocker who can drive defenders back in the run game
• A quality receiver who can routinely make contested catches in traffic
• High level of physicality after the catch; looks for someone to hit
• Good production with 92 catches, 1,185 yards, and 16 touchdowns despite missing most of his junior season in 2020
• Can operate inline and from the slot – both at a high level
• Very natural hands catcher and overall football player; great feel for the game

Pat Freiermuth is very much in the traditional mold of the ‘Y’ tight end as the player who lines up off tackle. However, he’s a good enough receiver to wear multiple hats and he can easily be flexed out into the slot. In the passing game, he showcases quality hands and the ability to naturally pluck the ball from the air.

Freiermuth is a willing blocker who has a few dominant plays here and there. He has the size and frame to add more play strength in the NFL. This should be an area he will continue to improve in.