When the Pittsburgh Steelers selected tight end Pat Freiermuth in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft out of Penn State, Pittsburgh was aiming to get not only a complete package at tight end as a receiver and blocker, but also a real red zone weapon at the position.
Early returns on that investment were very strong in 2021 as Freiermuth became a force in the red zone, developing great chemistry with veteran quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, leading to seven touchdowns as a rookie.
After having never dropped a red-zone target in his career at Penn State, Freiermuth picked up with the Steelers right where he left off in college, using his attention to details and real understanding of coverages in the red zone to thrive as a rookie, becoming a true weapon in that area of the field for a Steelers’ offense that desperately needed that type of finisher in the passing game.