The Pittsburgh Steelers need another receiver weapon after George Pickens. <\/p>\n
The Steelers may still make a move and acquire a WR in the offseason. <\/p>\n
However, if they don\u2019t, there will be a need for a player on the team to step up and be a reliable number-two target in the offense. <\/p>\n
Pat Freiermuth is the starting Tight End for the Steelers. <\/p>\n
ESPN\u2019s Brooke Pryor has raved about Freiermuth and listed him as the player who has most surprised during minicamps. <\/p>\n
We examine if Freiermuth can emerge as a reliable number two target or if the Steelers should try and acquire another reliable weapon. <\/p>\n
ESPN\u2019s Brooke Pryor raved about Freiermuth in minicamps. <\/p>\n
She said, \u201cArthur Smith's offense is a tight end's dream, and it's already waking up Freiermuth from a nightmare of a 2023 season.\u201d <\/p>\n
Pryor went on to say Freiermuth has shown early signs of good chemistry with QB Russell Wilson through offseason workouts. <\/p>\n
Brooke said regarding the lack of WRs behind Pickens: \u201cThe Steelers don't have a solid WR2 option, but that might not matter as much if Freiermuth continues on the kind of upward trajectory he established this offseason.\u201d<\/p>\n
Steelers fans will be thrilled to hear Freiermuth is having a good offseason and hope this translates into the season. <\/p>\n
Looking good in the offseason is one thing. <\/p>\n
Freiermuth will need to show he can be a reliable number two target when it matters, beginning in week 1. <\/p>\n
The Steelers desperately need a second reliable target. <\/p>\n
Freiermuth recorded 60 or more receptions in each of his first two seasons but saw his numbers dip big time last year. <\/p>\n
Pryor mentioned his down season last year by saying \u201cHampered by a nagging hamstring injury and playing in a disjointed offense, Freiermuth had a career-low 32 catches for 308 yards, less than half of his output from 2022.\u201d <\/p>\n
If Freiermuth can have a bounce-back season, the Steelers\u2019 need for a second WR becomes less dire. <\/p>\n
However, the Steelers can not count on him to be a reliable number-two target all season. <\/p>\n
Freiermuth does not have speed and has struggled to create separation and get open. <\/p>\n
Sure, the scheme was terrible last year but he is not as athletic as some of the top tight ends in the league are. <\/p>\n
The Steelers would be wise to try and acquire another reliable target in the offseason. <\/p>\n
They have been rumored all offseason to be tied to San Francisco 49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk. <\/p>\n
The Steelers should ask the price of Aiyuk if the 49ers make him available via trade. <\/p>\n
While Brooke\u2019s report of Freiermuth is encouraging, the Steelers would still be wise to try and acquire a legitimate number two target this offseason. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The Pittsburgh Steelers need another receiver weapon after George Pickens. The Steelers may still make a move and acquire a WR in the offseason. However, if they don\u2019t, there will be a need for a player on the team to step up and be a reliable number-two target in the offense. Pat Freiermuth is the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":324,"featured_media":1585910,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[4898],"tags":[],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n