Pittsburgh Steelers Pat Freiermuth said on Cameron Heyward’s podcast in April that he’s a top-ten tight end in the NFL and thinks he can be top-five in 2023. That sentiment is shared by Gilberto Manzano of Sports Illustrated, who recently ranked Freiermuth as the ninth-best tight end in the NFL.
“Freiermuth, 24, ascended as a pass catcher during his second NFL season, with 63 catches for 732 yards, averaging 11.6 yards per reception. As a rookie, the 2021 second-round pick recorded 497 yards and averaged 8.3 yards per reception. But Freiermuth will need to contribute more as a red zone target for quarterback Kenny Pickett—the tight end regressed from seven touchdown receptions in ’21 to only two last season.