Reasons why Steelers Pat Freiermuth is set for an elite 2022

Steelers Freiermuth compared to previous rookies

As stated before, rookie tight ends have had pretty mild rookie years after being drafted. This is due to the change in competition from the college game to pro-level as well as understanding the tasks a pro tight end will have to fill. Below is every tight end drafted in the first and second round from the past five years with their stats compared to Freiermuth’s.

Of the names on the list, Freiermuth is only behind Evan Engram and possibly Fant as best performing rookies from the top two rounds. That means for the past five years, Freiermuth is a top-five performing rookie tight end. Considering the extreme learning curve that is usually associated with the position, this is a good thing moving forward.

What is most notable here is just how much tight end’s productions jump in their second year. On average, receptions and yards are over doubled while yards per catch and touchdowns also see smaller increases. If Freiermuth follows along with these averages, he is set up for an insane 125 catch campaign for 1100 yards and 8 or 9 scores. Those would be elite numbers if achieved.

Now while he may not follow along with those projections to an exact amount (he isn’t going to catch 8 passes a game), he realistically could see all of his numbers have a healthy increase. When you compare him to the other tight ends taken in a similar range, Freiermuth easily had a great rookie campaign. The Steelers will almost certainly turn to him more in 2022.