Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth’s fantasy projection in 2024 will never be as good as the possible fantasy team names you can make with his. My personal favorite is “The Muth is Luth.”
That said, the Steelers offense is short by one Diontae Johnson, so perhaps there’s room for him to carve out a role.
Below, I’ll examine Freiermuth’s fantasy football outlook and whether or not he’s a good pick.
Pat Freiermuth’s Fantasy Profile for the 2024 NFL Season
Waiting on a tight end could be a fantasy football strategy you may want to consider, but is Freiermuth a target at TE16 and No. 133 overall?
According to TruMedia, over 12 games last season, Freiermuth ran 274 routes, and 251 of them came outside the red zone. Interestingly, he ran 110 on third down, leading all downs. Freirmuth finished the season with 47 targets, 32 receptions, 308 yards, and two touchdowns.
As a rookie, Freiermuth had a massive season with seven touchdowns, and in his second season, he recorded 732 receiving yards — a career high.
The Steelers traded Johnson, who had 87 targets last season, but added Van Jefferson and are strongly rumored to be a potential landing spot for Brandon Aiyuk via trade. If the Steelers get Aiyuk, Freiermuth’s value is completely non-existent.
However, heading into 2024, there could be something here with the improved quarterback room of Russell Wilson and Justin Fields.
Over Wilson’s career, he’s completed 758 passes to tight ends, the fewest among running backs (833) and wide receivers (2,072). In 2023 with the Broncos, he completed just 35 passes to TEs, over 100 fewer than wide receivers.
Is Freiermuth a Good Fantasy Pick?
I think I’d pass on Freiermuth. He just hasn’t really been all too productive in his career.
He’s caught just four touchdowns over the past two seasons, and the position has never really been Wilson’s favorite to target in his career.
There are players in fantasy drafts like Luke Musgrave going after Freiermuth who have more upside.
Freiermuth certainly has an opportunity to emerge as the No. 2 option in Pittsburgh’s offense, but we also have to acknowledge that the Steelers will run the ball early and often in 2024.
The Steelers have Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren, and they drafted two new offensive linemen. New offensive coordinator Arthur Smith is known for being one of the best run-play designers in the NFL.
Offenses under Smith’s control have routinely finished inside the top 10 in rushing yards. He was head coach of the Atlanta Falcons over the past few seasons. In 2023, they ranked eighth in rushing yards per game; in 2022, they were second.
So, let’s look at the negatives:
- Wilson doesn’t tend to target the tight end as much.
- He’s been unproductive for two seasons.
- The Steelers are a potential candidate to acquire Aiyuk.
- The offense will run more in 2024.
Hard pass here.