The Pittsburgh Steelers selected Penn State tight end Pat Freiermuth with the 23rd pick of the second round in the 2021 NFL Draft on Friday night.
Freiermuth came into Penn State in 2018 as a four-star recruit and while his 2020 campaign was cut short due to injury after four games, he still earned first-team All-Big Ten honors. He finished his career at Penn State as the school’s record holder for tight ends with 16 touchdown catches.
Measurables: 6’5”/258
School: Penn State
2020 stats: 4 games, 23 receptions, 310 yards, TD
Accolades: Honorable mention All-Big Ten and Freshman All-American (2018), second-team All-Big Ten and Penn Stats Most Valuable Offensive Player (2019), first-team All-Big Ten (2020)
Strengths:
• Two-year team captain
• Prototypical size
• Presents mismatch vs. safeties
• Strong hands, plays physical
• Dangerous with ball in his hands - strong stiff arm, will run over DBs
• Ideal third-down and red zone target
• Works seam well
Weaknesses:
• Lacks elite speed
• Struggles to create separation in man coverage
• Blocking can improve
Expert scout analysis: "Big, athletic tight end with the potential to be a combo player at the position, helping as a run blocker and pass catcher. Freiermuth needs to tighten up his technique as a run blocker but his foot quickness and agility led to some splashy recoveries and block finishes that foreshadow his future potential. He's athletic and has good build-up speed down the seam to attack the second level. However, he's average in separating underneath. Will need to do a better job of accessing his basketball background and putting a body on defenders to "block out" and create space for the throw. He'll need to have his season-ending injury vetted, but he has Day 2 talent for teams looking to bolster their 12 personnel package or add production from their Y tight end." - Lance Zeirlein, NFL Network
Tape:
Player comparisons: Zach Ertz (Charlie Campbell); Tyler Eifert (Lance Zeirlein & Eric Edholm)
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