The 2021 NFL Draft was decidedly not good for the Pittsburgh Steelers, as was the trend for many of the final classes under former general manager Kevin Colbert.
Four years later, only two players selected in the Steelers’ class are still with the team: tight end Pat Freiermuth and defensive tackle Isaiahh Loudermilk. The latter has been a reserve who hasn’t offered up much production. As for Freiermuth, he’s yet to climb to the height of his expectations.
We’ll circle back to Freiermuth in a moment, but looking at the class overall, it’s no wonder the Steelers have been in such a dismal state in recent seasons. Here’s the whole class to jog your memory:
The Pittsburgh Steelers 2021 NFL Draft class
- Pick 24: Najee Harris, RB
- Pick 55: Pat Freiermuth, TE
- Pick 87: Kendrick Green, C/G
- Pick 128: Dan Moore, Jr., LT
- Pick 140: Buddy Johnson, LB
- Pick 156: Isaiahh Loudermilk, DL
- Pick 216: Quincy Roche, EDGE
- Pick 245: Tre Norwood, DB
- Pick 254: Pressley Harvin III, P
Kendrick Green played a full season at center that went so poorly he ended his time in Pittsburgh by taking reps at fullback before being traded to Houston. Dan Moore served as the team’s left tackle for three full seasons, and while he improved every season, he was far from a long-term answer. At least he cashed in on a huge contract with the Tennessee Titans this offseason.
Of course, with Najee Harris, he was consistently good, stacking four-straight 1,000-yard seasons. Unfortunately, it was never good enough, and it was clear early on that he wasn’t what the Steelers needed in the first round of that particular draft.
Pat Freiermuth is the only notable player remaining from the Pittsburgh Steelers' disappointing 2021 draft
As for Freiermuth, it’s not for lack of trying on his part. He’s grown into a locker room leader and is an easy fan favorite, continuing a trend across NFL stadiums of Steelers fans shouting out “MUTH” as they did “HEATH” before him. Last season, fans shouted that 65 times, marking a career-high in receptions that still doesn’t bring him into the conversation among the league’s top tight ends.
After a promising rookie season that saw him catch 60 passes for 497 yards and seven touchdowns, Freiermuth drew in that popularity and the expectation that he could be one of the league’s premier threats at the position. But that hasn’t been the case as his red-zone production plummeted over the next two seasons with Kenny Pickett at quarterback.
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His fourth season, being the best since his rookie campaign without much fanfare, is putting some urgency on him to take that next step. Still, the 78 targets he saw last year were just the third-most in his first four NFL seasons. He proved last season, despite lackluster stats, that he’s a valuable weapon if he’s a focal point of the offense.
Steelers fans certainly hope that will change with Aaron Rodgers in 2025. Rodgers and Freiermuth have seemingly developed a quick bond since the veteran QB joined the franchise, but Pittsburgh wants to see that develop into production this season.