All 90 is a Pittsburgh Steelers Now series profiling each of the 90 members of the Steelers 2021 offseason roster.
88 • Pat Freiermuth, rookie tight end
Acquired: The Steelers made a splash by taking Freiermuth with No. 55 overall pick in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft, when most expected them to draft an offensive lineman.
College: Owns the all-time record for touchdown receptions for a Penn State tight end with 16. Freiermuth appeared in 30 games and made 24 starts over three seasons with the Nittany Lions.
In 2019, he had 43 catches for 507 yards and seven touchdowns. Junior season cut short after four games due to injury in 2020. Finished with 1,185 receiving yards, the seventh PSU tight end to catch more than 1,000.
Camp outlook: Freiermuth will be the team’s No. 2 tight end option this fall, but it remains to be seen how much playing time he’ll get.
No. 1 option Eric Ebron appears to be in line for an increased role with the retirement of Vance McDonald. Freiermuth could be a pure change of pace and red zone target, or the Steelers could utilize more two-tight end sets under new offensive coordinator Matt Canada.
Future: Freiermuth is locked up through the end of the 2024 season, after which he’ll be an unrestricted free agent.
The rest of the 90:
