4 Steelers whose stock is soaring after 2021 training camp

Steelers TE Pat Freiermuth

While I loved the pick of Pat Freiermuth overall, I had relatively low expectations for the rookie tight end in both camp and during the season. While an immensely talented player, tight ends have a tough transition to make to the pro game from the college level. Add in his injury-shortened junior season before he declared, and it seemed unlikely that Freiermuth would be an impact player from the start of his Steelers career.

Fast forward to the end of camp and all of Steelers nation is buzzing over just how well Freiermuth played. He was better than expected in both receiving and blocking, and there is a real chance he takes on the starting tight end role sooner rather than later. Easily he has been the best blocking tight end in camp, and his hands have been unmatched. No, he doesn’t have the athleticism to be a burner, but he will make the tough catch and power his way through for extra yards.

Will Freiermuth be a star his rookie season? The odds still say no, but he is lined up for a bigger impact than it would have seemed after he was first drafted. Eric Ebron will still start and serve as the primary receiving threat, but if Freiermuth can hold up against NFL defenders when blocking, he should see early playing time due to his flexibility as a receiver and a blocker. He was a star in camp, and now he hopes to carry that momentum over into the regular season.