Nobody performed better and more consistently for four weeks during offseason workouts than Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth. He had an instant connection with new quarterback Russell Wilson and came across as a potential playmaker in new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith's tight-end-heavy offense. Pittsburgh can overcome their shortcomings at the receiver spot by relying more on Freiermuth this year. Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts went over 1,000 yards as a rookie in Smith's offense, and Jonnu Smith had 50 catches with the Falcons in 2023, so there is a history of TEs thriving in this system. Freiermuth is talented enough to take a short pass and turn it into a big gain. Despite catching a career-low 32 passes for 308 yards and two TDs last year in 12 regular-season games, Freiermuth is entering his fourth season as a highly attractive high-end TE2 in fantasy.
Pat Freiermuth To Be Heavily Involved In Arthur Smith's Offense
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth enjoyed immediate success when he entered the NFL as a second-round pick out of Penn State in 2021. As a rookie, he caught 60 of his 79 targets for 467 yards and seven touchdowns. In Year 2, he hauled in 63 passes for 732 yards and two scores and looked the part of an emerging high-floor fantasy tight end. Unfortunately, he was limited to just 12 games in 2023 and tallied just 308 yards and two touchdowns. However, with Russell Wilson at quarterback and Arthur Smith running the Pittsburgh offense, he could be headed toward a bounce-back campaign in 2024. Steelers reporter Mark Kaboly said Freiermuth was not only targeted heavily in OTAs, but he has looked like a "legitimate playmaker," and the team might extend his contract before Week 1. The Atlanta Falcons ranked among the top five teams in total tight end targets in two of Smith's three seasons as head coach, and in his final season as the Tennessee Titans offensive coordinator in 2020, they ranked seventh in total tight end targets. Given the weak group of wide receivers behind George Pickens, it would not be a surprise if Freiermuth is the No. 2 option in the revamped passing game. He could be a solid value pick at his mid-range TE2 cost in early fantasy drafts.
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth has been one of new quarterback Russell Wilson's favorite targets during organized team activities this week. The Athletic's Mark Kaboly writes that it's hard not to notice the connection the two have already built. The two had a throwing session in San Diego earlier in the spring, which might have helped. Wilson seems to have the most trust in Freiermuth right now, and the big tight end is fully healthy and is entering a contract year in 2024. Having a more accurate QB and an offensive coordinator in Arthur Smith who will highlight the tight end position could be the factors that lead to the 25-year-old having a breakout year. A hamstring injury cost Freiermuth five games in 2023, and he caught just 32 passes for a career-low 308 yards and two touchdowns in 12 regular-season games (nine starts) in 2023. With better health, he's a value pick at TE to consider in fantasy this fall.
Pat Freiermuth Wants To Stay With Steelers Long Term
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth said on the Around the 412 podcast on Wednesday that he wants "to be in Pittsburgh for the rest of my career" as he heads into the final year of his rookie contract in 2024. He missed five games in 2023 due to a hamstring injury, but overall his numbers declined from the previous two seasons. Subpar quarterback play didn't help, and the 25-year-old former second-round pick in 2021 out of Penn State caught a career-low 32 passes for 308 yards and only two touchdowns in 12 regular season games (nine starts). In new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith's offense, Freiermuth could have a bounce-back campaign in 2024 and will be a nice sleeper target in fantasy drafts this fall.
Pat Freiermuth Could Benefit From New Offensive Coordinator
The addition of new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith bodes well for Pittsburgh Steelers tight ends Pat Freiermuth and Darnell Washington. From 2021 to 2023 when Smith was the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons, they ran the most plays with multiple tight ends on the field (1,549), while the Steelers ran only 844 plays with multiple TEs, ranking 22nd in the league. Smith was inconsistent in using Kyle Pitts after his 1,000-yard rookie season, but Smith's scheme could help Freiermuth and Washington get more involved in 2024. The team's QB issues didn't help his cause, but Freiermuth had his worst season in his third year with Pittsburgh in 2023, catching 32 passes for only 308 yards and two touchdowns in 12 regular-season games. However, the 25-year-old finished the year strong and could bounce back in 2024 with better QB play.
Pat Freiermuth Leads Steelers In Receiving Against Bills
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth hauled in five of his eight targets for 76 yards in a 31-17 playoff loss to the Buffalo Bills. Following a quiet end to the regular season, Freiermuth was involved early and often on Monday. The 25-year-old was responsible for Pittsburgh's longest play of the contest, a 33-yard catch and run on a deep pass from quarterback Mason Rudolph in the first quarter. He suffered an ankle injury late in the loss that limited his snaps on Pittsburgh's final possessions. It was a disappointing third professional campaign for Freiermuth, who dealt with multiple injuries in 2023, most notably a hamstring strain that kept him sidelined for five games. He will head into the offseason with one year left on his contract and will likely be the subject of extension negotiations.
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth will be making the second postseason appearance of his career against the Buffalo Bills in the wild-card round. Freiermuth's utilization has been inconsistent all season, making him difficult to depend on for fantasy purposes. In addition, the Bills have been stout against tight ends, allowing the fifth-fewest fantasy points to the position in 2023. With the winter weather in Buffalo expected to limit the potential for offensive firepower on Sunday, fantasy managers should view Freiermuth as a last-resort starting option.
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth hauled in both of his targets for 21 yards in a 17-10 win over the Baltimore Ravens. With weather conditions forcing both teams to rely on short routes, Freiermuth's 13-yard gain in the second quarter was the second-longest passing play for Pittsburgh on Saturday. Although it's been a tumultuous year for the Steelers' offense as a whole, it's certainly fair to describe Freiermuth's third professional campaign as underwhelming. He'll conclude the regular season with just 32 receptions for 308 yards and two touchdowns in 12 games played. Freiermuth will hope to make an impact in the AFC playoffs, but Pittsburgh will need a few things to go its way to sneak in.
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth has had a disappointing run over the past five weeks and will hope to bounce back against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 18. Although the Ravens are expected to rest many starters on Saturday, Freiermuth remains difficult to trust from a fantasy perspective. The 25-year-old has not surpassed three receptions or 45 yards since Week 12 and Baltimore has been stout against the tight end position this season. Freiermuth is at least guaranteed to see the field with Pittsburgh fighting for a spot in the AFC playoffs, but he shouldn't be viewed as anything more than a desperation option.
Pat Freiermuth Goes For 44 Yards In Win Over Seahawks
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth finished with three receptions for 44 yards in a Week 17 win against the Seattle Seahawks. It was by no means a great performance by Freiermuth, but the 25-year-old was effective with his four targets after earning zero opportunities last week. While Pittsburgh's offense has been impressive with Mason Rudolph handling QB1 duties, Freiermuth has not made much of an impact for fantasy purposes in recent weeks. Unfortunately, things will only get more difficult for him when the Steelers travel to Baltimore to face the Ravens in Week 18.
