RADIO
Pat Freiermuth 2023 Outlook: Talented Tight End, But Not Top Tier
2 years agoPat Freiermuth is the Pittsburgh Steelers' top tight and one of quarterback Kenny Pickett's top targets heading into the 2023 NFL season. After a wonderful rookie campaign where he scored seven touchdowns and became an immediate red-zone force, Freiermuth only found the end zone twice in 2022 despite being targeted 19 more times and having 235 more receiving yards than the year prior. The Steelers offense was conservative last season as the team brought Pickett along slowly, so hopefully the playbook is opened up this season as Pickett improves. Freiermuth is a top-10 fantasy tight end after posting back-to-back 60-catch seasons and proving he can score touchdowns. Fantasy managers cannot expect him to be in the upper echelon of the position, however, as he is not a game breaker (10.0 career ypc) and might continue to be hamstrung by Pickett's play and the average offensive players around him. The other worry concerning Freiermuth is that he suffered two concussions during his rookie year. Another concussion or two could cause him to miss several games if he is hit the wrong way in 2023. As long as Freiermuth stays healthy he could provide fantasy managers with 70 receptions for 800 yards and six scores.
