Since Diontae Johnson was traded by the Pittsburgh Steelers in mid-March, finding a replacement pass catcher has been viewed as one of the team’s primary needs. With no established WR2 currently on the roster and most top free agents already signed, the expectation is that they will likely seek their WR2 in the upcoming draft.
However, Dale Lolley of Steelers.com suggested on April 12 that the team’s solution at the second pass-catching position might already be within their ranks. He described Pat Freiermuth as potentially the best tight end Russell Wilson has played with in six years, highlighting Freiermuth’s emerging ability as a significant receiving threat.
Why Freiermuth Could Be the Answer
Pat Freiermuth has several advantages heading into his fourth NFL season: the presence of quarterback Wilson and the Steelers’ new offensive play caller.
According to Lolley, Steelers’ new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith values the tight end position, as evidenced by the success of players like Kyle Pitts and Jonnu Smith in his previous roles. Last season, Pitts and Smith combined for 6 receiving touchdowns.
Wilson has a history of utilizing tight ends effectively, especially in the red zone, regardless of their previous quality.
Freiermuth, at 25, has demonstrated reliability, with 123 catches for 1,229 yards in his first two seasons. Despite a disappointing third year (32 catches for 308 yards), injuries and quarterback issues were more to blame than his ability.
The Steelers lack depth at tight end, positioning Freiermuth to potentially dominate usage.
Elevating Freiermuth into a primary receiving role would mirror strategies seen in successful teams like those with Travis Kelce, Mark Andrews, Sam Laporta, and George Kittle, all key targets in their respective offenses.
Steelers’ Pass Catching Options
Whether it’s Russell Wilson or Justin Fields calling the shots for the Steelers in 2024, one thing is clear: their top target will undoubtedly be George Pickens. Pickens emerged as the standout receiver, racking up 63 receptions for 1,140 yards in his second NFL season.
Beyond Pickens, the receiving corps lacks significant appeal. Following him on the depth chart are Van Jefferson, Quez Watkins, and Calvin Austin. Watkins managed 15 catches totaling 142 yards last season, while Jefferson recorded 20 catches for 209 yards across his spells with the Rams and Falcons. Austin, with 17 receptions for 180 yards in his career, rounds out the options.
If the Steelers don’t find a promising candidate early in the NFL draft, Pat Freiermuth could emerge as the primary secondary target in the passing game, right after Pickens.
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