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Pat Freiermuth Drafted by Steelers: PIT's Updated Depth Chart After Round 2
May 1, 2021
The Pittsburgh Steelers added another weapon to the offense by selecting Penn State tight end Pat Freiermuth with the No. 55 pick in the 2021 NFL draft.
Here is how he fits into his new team's depth chart:
QB - Ben Roethlisberger, Mason Rudolph, Joshua Dobbs, Dwayne Haskins
RB - Najee Harris, Benny Snell, Anthony McFarland Jr., Kalen Ballage
FB - Derek Watt, Jaylen Samuels
WR 1 - JuJu Smith-Schuster, Ray-Ray McCloud, Cody White
WR 2 - Chase Claypool, Anthony Johnson
WR 3 - Diontae Johnson, James Washington
TE - Pat Freiermuth*, Eric Ebron, Zach Gentry, Charles Jones, Kevin Rader, Dax Raymond
LT - Chukwuma Okorafor, Jarron Jones
LG - Kevin Dotson, Brandon Walton
C - J.C. Hassenauer, B.J. Finney
RG - David DeCastro, Aviante Collins
RT - Zach Banner, Joe Haeg, Anthony Coyle
Depth chart info provided by Ourlads and Over the Cap.
Freiermuth was known as a key red-zone target throughout his college career, finishing with 16 receiving touchdowns in 30 games. He had eight scores as a true freshman in 2018.
The 6'5", 258-pound player was extremely reliable near the end zone:
Though he only played four games during the shortened 2020 campaign, he came through with 23 catches for 310 yards before suffering a shoulder injury.
The two-time team captain also helped the Nittany Lions finish as a top-10 team in 2019 including a win in the Outback Bowl.
The college production helps NFL teams project Freiermuth as a difference-maker offensively with his ability to make plays in the middle of the field and near the red zone. He knows how to get himself open and rarely makes mistakes, giving him the opportunity to put up big numbers at the next level.
It made him one of the top players in the class at a position that continues to gain importance in NFL offenses. Kansas City Chiefs' Travis Kelce has been a star in recent years, but he was one of eight tight ends with at least seven receiving touchdowns in 2020.
The Steelers will hope Freiermuth can make a similar impact soon rather than later in the NFL.