Unlike last year, there is actually some quality in this tight end class. One of the big names to keep an eye on is Penn State’s Pat Freiermuth. Whilst he might not match Kyle Pitts’ athletic ability, he has all of the tools to be a well-rounded starter at the next level.
You can read more of my 2021 NFL Draft content here.
Strengths
Freiermuth has earned the nickname ‘Baby Gronk’ during his time at Penn State. Whilst he has a long way to go to match Gronk in talent terms, it gives an indication of the kind of player he is. He showcases great strength and is one of the toughest players in the nation to bring down with the ball in his hands. Since the start of 2019 he has averaged an impressive 6.1 yards after the catch. Freiermuth won’t win many foot races in the open field, but his athleticism is more than enough to get the job done.
Another of his best traits is his hands. Freiermuth has been a reliable receiver for Penn State over the last two seasons, registering just three drops on 69 catchable passes. He is particularly effective in the red zone, and holds the Penn State record for touchdowns by a tight end. Teams will love the huge catch radius Freiermuth offers and his ability to snag the ball in traffic will be a welcome addition to any team.
Freiermuth also ticks the box when it comes to his blocking ability. He is solid in both run blocking and pass protection, and he has the power to create movement on the line of scrimmage. His technique could certainly do with improvement, but he showcases the tenacity you want to see. Freiermuth would be an ideal fit for a team that likes to play with their tight ends inline.
Weaknesses
Freiermuth is a good receiver, but he is not a particularly dynamic athlete. He lacks the long speed to win at all three levels of the field and he struggles to create consistent separation against man coverage. His limited athleticism is also apparent after the catch. Freiermuth can break tackles, but he isn’t going to outrun defenders at the NFL level.
The other area that teams will want to see improvement is his blocking technique. Whilst he was largely effective as a blocker in college, he got away with inconsistent technique. Freiermuth can struggle to sustain blocks and has a bad habit of stopping his feet on contact. He has all of the tools to be a powerful blocker at the next level, but these aspects of his game will need to be cleaned up.
Bottom Line
Freiermuth projects as a quality starter at tight end. His ability to combine receiving ability with proficiency as a blocker makes him the versatile player that teams want at the position. He won’t compete with Kyle Pitts when it comes to athleticism and receiving ability, but Freiermuth has more than enough to get the job done. It certainly feels like his best football is still ahead of him.
Big Board Rank: #47
Positional Rank: #2
