Pat
Freiermuth.
Pat
Freiermuth.
Penn State· 6'5"· 251 lb
"A Penn State Y-tight end with three-year starter reps, in-line blocking chops and a reliable-hands profile — the cleanest true TE1 in a class chasing Pitts."Pre-draft read
He aligns in-line, executing fundamentally sound releases to create leverage. His route tree emphasizes stick, out, and curl routes at the first-down markers, seam-benders against zone, and back-shoulder fades in the red zone. He utilizes route craft and precise body positioning to win, particularly in contested-catch situations.
He operates as a reliable in-line blocker, displaying functional hand placement and consistent effort. While not a primary point-of-attack mover, he plays through contact effectively. Separation often develops late; he secures catches using his body, hands, and quarterback trust more than burst. This impacts his yards-after-catch ceiling but establishes him as a high-floor, chain-moving target across the middle.
Any scheme that values a reliable, in-line tight end in the run game and as a high-volume target on intermediate routes will find Freiermuth to be an immediate contributor.
Immediate starter as a traditional in-line Y tight end with a high ceiling as a trusted chain-mover and red-zone target with reliable hands and excellent body control.
A spread RPO or Air Raid scheme that prioritizes vertical separation and YAC from its tight ends would not fully utilize Freiermuth's strengths, as his long speed and after-catch creation are not elite.
Freiermuth's nuanced route running, contested-catch ability, and in-line blocking make him a high-floor prospect who excels in traditional NFL offenses, even without elite athletic traits.
Top 50 Plays of Penn State TE Pat Freiermuth
Career Penn State reel: red-zone body-catches, seam-benders and in-line blocks that framed the pre-draft profile.
Pat Freiermuth Scouting Report (2021 NFL Draft)
Independent scouting cut breaking down route tree, contested-catch traits and Y projection into the Steelers.
2021 Highlights: Pat Freiermuth Season Highlights
Rookie season Steelers cut showing the immediate red-zone role and chain-moving usage that validated the pick.
This prospect projects as a plug-and-play Y tight end, capable of immediate contributions due to his functional strength as both a blocker and receiver. He offers an offense a high-floor possession target, providing reliability in critical situations. His precise route-running detail and physicality at the catch point address a specific need for a dependable, every-down tight end.
He was a three-year starter at Penn State, earning Freshman All-American honors in 2018. He set the program record for career tight end touchdowns with 16. His junior season was limited to four games due to shoulder surgery in November 2020, yet he maintained effectiveness when active. He measured 6'5" and 258 pounds, indicating a prototypical size for an in-line role, with a route polish that transcended his athletic profile.
Evaluators noted concerns regarding his long-speed ceiling, as he was not viewed as a true seam-stretching tight end, and his average short-area quickness could limit separation against athletic man coverage. These factors contributed to a prospect profile emphasizing technique and reliability over explosive traits. He was drafted in the second round, 55th overall.
- 01
In-line Y tight end
He projects as a plug-and-play Y tight end due to his 6-5, 258-pound frame and functional strength.
- 02
Reliable hands & catch radius
He secures the ball through contact and displays body control to adjust to imperfect throws.
- 03
Contested-catch ability
He plays with physicality at the catch point, high-pointing 50/50 balls, and maintaining possession.
- 04
Effective run-blocker
He displays strong technique as an in-line run-blocker, sealing gaps on zone concepts and delivering a punch.
- 05
Strong football makeup
He was a three-year starter and team captain, recognized for his work ethic and film study.
- 01
Limited long speed
His testing in the 4.75 range suggests he is a possession target, not a vertical threat.
- 02
Average short-area quickness
His quickness can hinder his separation against athletic linebackers and box safeties.
- 03
Limited YAC production
He relies on hands and body control rather than consistently breaking tackles post-catch.
- 04
Injury history
Shoulder injury shortened his junior season and required pre-draft surgery, raising durability concerns.
— — — positional median (p50)
- 40 yd
- —s
- Vertical
- —in
- Broad jump
- —in
- Three-cone
- —s
- Shuttle
- —s
- Bench
- 26repp50
| Yr | Team | G | Rec | Yds | TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Penn State | 13 | 26 | 368 | 8 |
| 2019 | Penn State | 13 | 43 | 507 | 7 |
| 2020 | Penn State | 4 | 23 | 310 | 1 |
| Career | — | 30 | 92 | 1185 | 16 |
A dash means the figure is not published by a source we trust — never a zero we invented.
Realistic: route craft over athletic separation, chain-mover TE1
Ceiling: durable in-line Y + red-zone finisher, franchise-tenure outcome
Floor: reliable blocking Y with fringe-starter target volume
Everything above is the pre-draft evaluation. This section is what actually happened — updated year over year.
Hit. Steady TE1 role since Day 1 (60+ receptions per healthy year, 7 TDs in 2022), locked in as Pittsburgh's starter through the Aaron Rodgers arrival in 2025. Signed 4-year, $48M extension in 2024. Not a game-breaker; the Heath Miller comp landed almost exactly.
Three-year Penn State starter and 2018 Freshman All-American who became the program's all-time leader in tight end touchdowns (16) despite a junior year cut to four games by a shoulder surgery in November 2020. Measured 6'5"/258 with 32 1/8" arms and 9 3/4" hands; skipped the forty at his pro day but tested as a functional Y with route polish beyond his athletic profile.
Nicknamed "Baby Gronk" by media — a comp he never asked for and that inflated expectations on the vertical seam game he didn't truly offer. Fit with Pittsburgh: Slotted immediately as the in-line Y next to Eric Ebron, then took over the TE1 role in 2022 after Ebron left. Rookie year produced 60/497/7 receiving with red-zone target share that led all rookie TEs.
Missed time with a concussion in 2022 but returned as a chain-mover and matchup piece for Kenny Pickett and later Russell Wilson/Justin Fields. Signed a four-year, $48.4M extension in July 2024 ($23M guaranteed) after posting career-high 663 yards in 2023 despite Pittsburgh's QB churn.
Retrospective: A clean 2R hit — never became the vertical seam-buster the Gronk comp implied, but delivered exactly the sturdy in-line Y + reliable red-zone target Pittsburgh drafted, with contract extension confirming the org grade.