National media outlet names the most underrated player on Pittsburgh Steelers' roster
Sports Illustrated recently named the most underrated player on each AFC team and they went with an obvious choice for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Conor Orr, an NFL writer for Sports Illustrated, has tight end Pat Freiermuth as the Steelers' most underrated player. From SI.com: Freiermuth was graded well as a blocker by Pro Football Focus, […]
Sports Illustrated recently named the most underrated player on each AFC team and they went with an obvious choice for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Conor Orr, an NFL writer for Sports Illustrated, has tight end Pat Freiermuth as the Steelers' most underrated player.
From SI.com:
Freiermuth was graded well as a blocker by Pro Football Focus, and I went back to see how he fared against the Browns. The Steelers were starting a rookie left tackle and presumably needed to lean on Freiermuth to help with Myles Garrett. And while there was certainly some contact (he did what I think we all would do in that situation, diving at Garrett’s legs), I came away with a further appreciation for his ability to get open. Freiermuth has a sharp cut and on plays where Roethlisberger was clearly in danger, he was the “hot” emergency read, meaning that they trusted him to be in the right place at the right time.
Freiermuth, a second-round draft pick by Pittsburgh in 2021, quietly had a solid rookie season for the Steelers last season.
The former Penn State standout caught 60 passes for 497 yards and seven touchdowns. Those aren't eye-popping numbers, but they're fairly impressive for a rookie tight end (which can be a tough position to play as a rookie because of all the added responsibilities a tight end carries).
Pittsburgh's offense is expected to operate a bit differently in 2022 than it did in 2021, but that's something that Freiermuth is excited about.
“Different alignments, different concepts, everything like that. That’s what I’m looking forward to," said Freiermuth earlier this offseason.
“It’s gonna be Coach Canada’s offense and he’s gonna do what he came here to do.”
It certainly sounds like Freiermuth is a player who will benefit from the Steelers' new-look offense this upcoming season.
Featured image via Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports
