The Steelers will have a new quarterback this year, and I’m thinking that will probably be a good thing for Pat Freiermuth. I think he’s a good tight end, and I’d like to see him get more chances to make some plays downfield.
With Ben Roethlisberger in recent years, too many of Pittsburgh’s passes have been of the quick, short variety around the line of scrimmage – with too many of them not going anyway. With a new quarterback and some offensive tweaks, I’m hopeful there will be more willingness to attempt some downfield passes.
In the case of Freiermuth, he had a solid rookie season, with 60 receptions, but he averaged only 8.3 yards per catch.
In the last 20 years, 166 tight ends have caught at least 60 passes in a season. Only two of those players averaged fewer yards per catch than Freiermuth (only 29 averaged fewer than 10 yards per catch).
Freiermuth looks like a good tight end, with good size and reliable hands. Hopefully the Steelers will be able to find a quarterback who can properly utilize those talents.
SHORT-RANGE TIGHT ENDS (last 20 yrs) | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Player | Rec | Yards | Avg | TD |
2014 | Jermaine Gresham, Cin. | 62 | 460 | 7.4 | 5 |
2005 | Jermaine Wiggins, Min. | 69 | 568 | 8.2 | 1 |
2021 | Pat Freiermuth, Pitt. | 60 | 497 | 8.3 | 7 |
2019 | Jason Witten, Dall. | 63 | 529 | 8.4 | 4 |
2016 | Dennis Pitta, Balt. | 86 | 729 | 8.5 | 2 |
2017 | Benjamin Watson, Balt. | 61 | 522 | 8.6 | 4 |
2017 | Jack Doyle, Ind. | 80 | 690 | 8.6 | 4 |
2017 | Jason Witten, Dall. | 63 | 560 | 8.9 | 5 |
2015 | Heath Miller, Pitt. | 60 | 535 | 8.9 | 2 |
2021 | Tyler Higbee, LAR | 61 | 560 | 9.2 | 5 |
2015 | Jason Witten, Dall. | 77 | 713 | 9.3 | 3 |
2018 | Austin Hooper, Atl. | 71 | 660 | 9.3 | 4 |
2020 | Logan Thomas, Was. | 72 | 670 | 9.3 | 6 |
2011 | Brandon Pettigrew, Det. | 83 | 777 | 9.4 | 5 |
2010 | Tony Gonzalez, Atl. | 70 | 656 | 9.4 | 6 |
2010 | Jacob Tamme, Ind. | 67 | 631 | 9.4 | 4 |
2006 | Jeremy Shockey, NYG | 66 | 623 | 9.4 | 7 |
2012 | Jason Witten, Dall. | 110 | 1039 | 9.5 | 3 |
2013 | Delanie Walker, Ten. | 60 | 571 | 9.5 | 6 |
2021 | T.J. Hockenson, Det. | 61 | 583 | 9.6 | 4 |
2005 | Randy McMichael, Mia. | 60 | 582 | 9.7 | 5 |
2021 | Tyler Conklin, Min. | 61 | 593 | 9.7 | 3 |
2016 | Jason Witten, Dall. | 69 | 673 | 9.8 | 3 |
2020 | Dalton Schultz, Dall. | 63 | 615 | 9.8 | 4 |
2006 | Kellen Winslow, Cle. | 89 | 875 | 9.8 | 3 |
2021 | Noah Fant, Den. | 68 | 670 | 9.9 | 4 |
2014 | Larry Donnell, NYG | 63 | 623 | 9.9 | 6 |
2018 | Kyle Rudolph, Min. | 64 | 634 | 9.9 | 4 |
2004 | Jermaine Wiggins, Min. | 71 | 705 | 9.9 | 4 |
—Ian Allan