Why Penn State Football alum Pat Freiermuth sees Steelers as ‘perfect fit’

Pat Freiermuth will likely be tasked with being a versatile weapon in the Pittsburgh Steelers’ passing game, and a willing blocker for fellow-rookie Najee Harris in the running game this season

Former Penn State Football tight end Pat Freiermuth drew some comparisons to Rob Gronkowski leading up to the 2021 NFL Draft, before he was chosen by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the second-round earlier this month, and just might wind up being among the more valuable offensive weapons added by any team during the draft.

Freiermuth, in two-plus seasons in Happy Valley, never dropped a pass in the red-zone and caught   92 passes for 1,185 yards and 16 touchdowns while proving to be a reliable weapon down the seam in the Nittany Lions‘ vertical passing game.

Following quarterback Ben Roethlisberger’s precipitous decline over the second half of last season, the Steelers are hoping that Freiermuth — and first-round pick, Alabama running back Najee Harris — can provide the veteran passer a consistently dominant option in the short and intermediate passing game with Yards After the Catch opportunities.

Freiermuth says he couldn’t be happier with where he landed in the NFL Draft.

"“I love my fit. I think it’s perfect,” Freiermuth said, via PennLive. “I’m very happy that I’m here in Pittsburgh, and the offense is awesome. I think it’s very complex, and I think it’s going to utilize the talent we have on this roster. From my first walk through today, felt great, felt like I understand most of what’s going on.”"

Weighing in at 6-foot-5 and 258 pounds, Freiermuth will likely be asked not just to be a versatile weapon in the passing game, but also a willing blocker opening running-lanes for Harris in the ground-attack.

That’s just fine with the former Nittany Lion standout.

"“I think I can do it all,” Freiermuth says. “That’s kind of the prospect I was. I was just kind of making sure that I’m very versatile and can do it all on the field and whatever’s asked, lining up at the fullback position or split out to that ‘X’ or ‘Z’ receiver. So I’m ready to do whatever they ask me to do, and I’m just excited to see my progression in this offense.”"