Freiermuth should be considered a sleeper this season, and he's worth drafting with a late-round pick in all leagues. Freiermuth has the chance to be second on the Steelers in targets this season behind George Pickens, and Freiermuth should benefit from new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith and a quarterback upgrade in Russell Wilson or Justin Fields. Smith's offense in Atlanta where he was the head coach was extremely tight-end friendly. In 2023, the Falcons led the league in receiving yards by tight ends (1,380) and finished fifth in total receptions from the position (114). Freiermuth scored seven touchdowns as a rookie in 2021 and averaged 9.5 PPR points per game. He followed that up with 9.3 PPR points per game in 2022, but he dropped to 6.4 PPR points per game in 2023. He should prove to be a nice surprise in 2024, and Freiermuth is worth waiting for on Draft Day in all leagues.
We haven't seen much from Freiermuth in the preseason, but I'm hopeful that all of the offseason buzz we got about Freiermuth and Russell Wilson starts to show this week now that Wilson is healthy from the calf injury that sidelined him in training camp. Arthur Smith loves using his tight ends, and Freiermuth should be the primary receiving threat at the position for the Steelers. He's worth using as a streamer against the Falcons, who last year allowed the sixth-most Fantasy points to opposing tight ends.
... See More... See Less
Steelers' Pat Freiermuth: Lands four-year extension
Rotowire
Freiermuth signed a four-year, $48.4 million contract extension with the Steelers on Friday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
This move confirms recent rumblings that Pittsburgh was trying to get Freiermuth extended before the start of the regular season. Freiermuth is locked in through the end of the 2028 season, as the extension will kick in after the fourth and final year of his rookie contract wraps up in 2024. The 2021 second-round draft pick is looking to bounce back under new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, starting with Sunday's game against the Falcons, after posting a career-low 308 receiving yards in the 2023 regular season.
... See More... See Less
Steelers' Pat Freiermuth: Sleepers (Start/Sit)
Rotowire
We haven't seen much from Freiermuth in the preseason, but I'm hopeful that all of the offseason buzz we got about Freiermuth and Russell Wilson starts to show this week now that Wilson is healthy from the calf injury that sidelined him in training camp. Arthur Smith loves using his tight ends, and Freiermuth should be the primary receiving threat at the position for the Steelers. He's worth using as a streamer against the Falcons, who last year allowed the sixth-most Fantasy points to opposing tight ends.
... See More... See Less
Steelers' Pat Freiermuth: Another quiet game
Rotowire
Freiermuth recorded one reception (on one target) for 10 yards in Saturday's 9-3 preseason loss to the Bills.
Freiermuth made his lone catch on Pittsburgh's second possession, as he was hit in the right flat by Russell Wilson for a modest gain. Though Freiermuth has had limited production in two preseason games, he currently has a strong chance to be the second-most targeted pass catcher in the offense come the regular season.
... See More... See Less
Steelers' Pat Freiermuth: Held to one reception in loss
Rotowire
Freiermuth secured his lone target for six yards during Friday's 20-12 preseason loss to the Texans.
Freiermuth caught a short pass from Justin Fields on the Steelers' first drive of the game Friday, but the tight end was held in check for the other two drives in which the starters were on the field. The 2021 second-rounder took a step back last season, securing 32 of 47 targets for 308 yards and two touchdowns over 12 regular-season appearances, but he should have a chance to bounce back in 2024 since either Justin Fields or Russell Wilson will operate as the team's starting quarterback.
... See More... See Less
Steelers' Pat Freiermuth: Hoping to re-sign long term
Rotowire
Freiermuth said Wednesday on the Around the 412 Podcast that he wants to stay in Pittsburgh for the rest of his career, per Chris Ward of Steelers Now.
The tight end is in a contract year, following a down 2023 season in which a hamstring injury cost him five games and may have limited his playing time in a few others. He caught nine passes for 120 yards in a Week 12 win over the Bengals and had five catches for 76 yards in a playoff loss to Buffalo, but otherwise Freiermuth had just 23 receptions for 188 yards and two TDs in 11 appearances. He was far more active in the passing game as a rookie (60-497-7) and again in 2022 (63-732-2), and he could be Option B behind WR George Pickens in 2024 after the Steelers hired OC Arthur Smith and traded WR Diontae Johnson to the Panthers. While Smith figures to prioritize the running game, his affinity for multi-TE formations could put Freiermuth in a near-every-down role for the first time (he averaged 42.7 snaps per game in 2021, 46.4 in 2022 and 39.5 in 2023).
... See More... See Less
Steelers' Pat Freiermuth: Productive in season-ending defeat
Rotowire
Freiermuth brought in five of eight targets for 76 yards in the Steelers' 31-17 wild-card loss to the Bills on Monday afternoon. He also fumbled once but did not give up possession.
Freiermuth was the surprise leader in receiving yards and also shared the team lead in receptions for the Steelers, with Mason Rudolph frequently turning to the big tight end for quick-hitting passes. Freiermuth also boasted the longest catch of the day for Pittsburgh, a 33-yard first-quarter grab that ended with the third-year pro fumbling the ball and seeing it seemingly recovered by the Bills' Christian Benford (knee), only to have both the on-field and replay officials rule that Benford didn't secure possession inbounds. Freiermuth was significantly less involved as a receiver across his 12 regular-season games in 2023 after recording at least 60 catches in his first two campaigns, posting a 32-308-2 line on 47 targets. However, Freiermuth finished the campaign with a 23-248-0 tally over the final seven regular-season contests, a span that notably began with the first game following offensive coordinator Matt Canada's firing.
... See More... See Less
Steelers' Pat Freiermuth: TEs to Sit
Rotowire
Freiermuth scored 21 PPR points in Week 12 at Cincinnati. Since then, he's combined for 24.7 PPR points in his past five games against Arizona, New England, Indianapolis, Cincinnati again and Seattle. The Ravens are expected to rest players on defense, but Freiermuth still remains too tough to trust in the majority of leagues. We'll see if Freiermuth can find the end zone for the first time since Week 3, and a touchdown might be the only thing to boost his Fantasy production in Week 18.
... See More... See Less
Steelers' Pat Freiermuth: Has trio of catches in Week 17
Rotowire
Freiermuth totaled three catches (on four targets) for 44 yards during Sunday's 30-23 win at Seattle.
Freiermuth wasn't looked at by quarterback Mason Rudolph in the latter's first start Week 16 against the Bengals, but the tight end was able to get in the act Sunday with his second-highest yardage tally of the year. With only three instances of 40-plus yards in 11 appearances on the campaign, though, Freiermuth is tough to trust in a Steelers offense with uncertainty under center and multiple options to feed in WRs George Pickens and Diontae Johnson and RB Jaylen Warren. Freiermuth may have a difficult time producing Week 18 on the road against the Ravens' fourth-ranked defense (302.1 yards per game).
... See More... See Less
Steelers' Pat Freiermuth: TEs to Sit
Rotowire
Freiermuth scored 21 PPR points in Week 12 at Cincinnati. Since then, he's combined for 17.3 PPR points in his past four games against Arizona, New England, Indianapolis and Cincinnati again, and he didn't get a target in the rematch with the Bengals in Week 16. There's no way to trust Freiermuth in Week 17 against the Seahawks, even though three tight ends in the past four games against Seattle have scored at least 16.6 PPR points. Hopefully, he'll at least get a target in this game.
... See More... See Less
Steelers' Pat Freiermuth: Not targeted in comfortable win
Rotowire
Freiermuth wasn't targeted during the Steelers' 34-11 win over the Bengals on Saturday.
Freiermuth was listed as a limited participant on Tuesday's practice report, but he logged full practices to close out the week. His snap count remained steady in a matchup in which the Steelers' offense had a strong showing, but quarterback Mason Rudolph didn't target Freiermuth in the victory. Freiermuth had his best performance of the season against the Bengals in Week 12 by securing nine of 11 targets for 120 yards, but he's secured just nine of 16 targets for 63 yards over four games since then.
... See More... See Less
Steelers' Pat Freiermuth: Logs full practice Wednesday
Rotowire
Freiermuth (knee) practiced fully Wednesday, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official sitereports.
Freiermuth was deemed a limited participant Tuesday, but the tight end's return to a full activity a day later sets the stage for him to be available for Saturday's game against the Bengals. He's turned in three-catch efforts in each of his last three outings, and apart from a nine-reception outburst Week 12, he hasn't exceeded three catches in any of his nine appearances this season.
... See More... See Less
Steelers' Pat Freiermuth: Tending to knee issue
Rotowire
Freiermuth was listed as limited on Tuesday's practice report due to a knee injury, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.
Freiermuth previously sat out Weeks 5-10 due to a hamstring issue, but a different concern is impacting his reps to begin Week 16 prep. Since returning from injured reserve Week 11, he's hauled in 19 of 28 targets for 190 yards and no touchdowns, with most of that production coming in Week 12 against Cincinnati (9-120-0 on 11 targets). Freiermuth will be tough to trust in Saturday's rematch with the Bengals if he's able to suit up.
... See More... See Less
Steelers' Pat Freiermuth: Limited impact in loss
Rotowire
Freiermuth secured three of four targets for 16 yards during the Steelers' 30-13 loss to Indianapolis on Saturday.
Freiermuth had a standout performance against the Bengals in Week 12 when he secured nine of 11 targets for 120 yards, but his impact has been much more limited over three appearances since then. Across the last three matchups, he's secured nine of 16 targets for 63 yards, and he's been held below 30 receiving yards in each of those outings. The 25-year-old remains the top tight end for the Steelers and has some upside potential, but his recent results have been discouraging.
... See More... See Less
Steelers' Pat Freiermuth: TEs to Sit
Rotowire
In his past two games against Arizona and New England, Freiermuth only has six catches for 47 yards and no touchdowns on 12 targets. He hasn't scored a touchdown since Week 3 and has just two touchdowns on the season, and the Colts have only allowed two receiving touchdowns to tight ends this year. Freiermuth is only worth starting in deeper leagues in Week 15.
... See More... See Less
Steelers' Pat Freiermuth: Quiet night in loss
Rotowire
Freiermuth brought in three of seven targets for 18 yards and also recorded a two-point conversion catch in the Steelers' 21-18 loss to the Patriots on Thursday night.
Mitch Trubisky's struggles with efficiency Thursday impacted Freiermuth, with the tight end finishing with his fifth sub-20-yard tally of the campaign in the process. Freiermuth did manage to boost his overall fantasy production to a modest degree with his two-point conversion reception following the Steelers' final touchdown of the night in the fourth quarter. However, he remains very hard to trust due to Pittsburgh's quarterback issues heading into a Week 15 road matchup against the Colts on Saturday, Dec. 16.
... See More... See Less
Steelers' Pat Freiermuth: TEs to Sit
Rotowire
Freiermuth was great in Week 12 at Cincinnati with nine catches for 120 yards on 11 targets, but he regressed in Week 13 against Arizona with three catches for 29 yards on five targets. I'm afraid the matchup against the Bengals, and not the change in offense after Matt Canada was fired as the coordinator, was the reason for Freiermuth's big game in Week 12. This week, Freiermuth faces a Patriots defense that's No. 5 in fewest Fantasy points allowed to opposing tight ends, and Mitch Trubisky is starting for the injured Kenny Pickett (ankle). Freiermuth is only worth starting in deeper leagues.
... See More... See Less
Steelers' Pat Freiermuth: Week 13 Streamers (TE Preview)
Rotowire
Freiermuth is the top add at any position if Zack Moss is already rostered in your league. He's proven his ability in the red zone and as a target earner. He'll be a top-10 tight end rest of season.
... See More... See Less
Steelers' Pat Freiermuth: Week 13 Waiver Priority List
Rotowire
Bye Matt Canada, hello Freiermuth. In the first game after Canada was fired as offensive coordinator, Freiermuth had a monster outing at Cincinnati with nine catches for 120 yards on 11 targets, and hopefully that's a sign of things to come. Now, he took advantage of a great matchup since the Bengals were No. 6 in most Fantasy points allowed to opposing tight ends, and he faces a tougher test against the Cardinals in Week 13. Arizona is No. 9 in fewest Fantasy points allowed to tight ends, but I still want Freiermuth on my team if he's going to be this involved. He could be a difference maker to close the season, and you should add him for 10-15 percent of your FAB.
... See More... See Less
Steelers' Pat Freiermuth: Sleeper TEs
Rotowire
I'm hopeful that with Matt Canada fired as the offensive coordinator for the Steelers that the passing game improves in Pittsburgh with quarterbacks coach Mike Sullivan now calling plays. It could be good for Freiermuth in Week 12 at Cincinnati since the Bengals are No. 6 in most Fantasy points allowed to opposing tight ends. Freiermuth returned to action in Week 11 against the Browns after missing the previous five games with a hamstring injury and only had one catch for 7 yards on one target. However, he did score two touchdowns in his first three games of the season, and he has two touchdowns in four career games against the Bengals. And for the season, Cincinnati has allowed eight tight ends to score at least 8.5 PPR points, including four touchdowns.
