Pat Freiermuth 2021 NFL Draft Profile

Pat Freiermuth 2021 NFL Draft Profile

Kyle Pitts is the most notable tight end in the 2021 NFL Draft. Penn State product Pat Freiermuth is being labeled as the other guy in 2021 NFL Draft tight end class. What does the Nittany Lions tight end bring to the table? Let’s check out his draft profile.

Freiermuth sort of resembles Rob Gronkowski. At least, that’s the hope anyway. Freiermuth is a big body checking in at 6-foot-5, 261, and rocking that number 87. Freiermuth was a four-star recruit coming out of the Massachusetts area. He’s someone schools had their eyes on. It’s not like Freiermuth is this raw tight end that’s learning the position. He’s ready to rock right now. Freiermuth was also a two-year captain at Penn State and comes with leadership traits.

Freiermuth is a weird one to grade. Again, you can see that Gronkowski comp. He has the size and athletic combination. He can really block or should develop into a good one. It takes him some time to build up his speed but he’s impressive once he gets going. Those seam routes trying to beat guys down the middle, he thrives at.

The thing with Freiermuth is that he often times looks clunky. His pure quickness is average at best. There are no sharp cuts and often times is terrible at creating separation. Especially underneath routes where he doesn’t have a chance to build up his speed. He also fails more often than he should at making those contested grabs. For a big guy like this, Freiermuth often comes up short with physicality which shouldn’t happen.

Freiermuth has solid production at Penn State. No. 87 caught 92 receptions for 1,185 yards and 16 touchdown grabs in 30 career games for the Nittany Lions. His 16 career touchdowns is second all-time for a Nittany Lions tight end behind Mike Gesicki. Speaking of Gesicki, he’s an interesting parallel. Personally, I think Gesicki is the better prospect. He’s just a lot more twitched up and a better natural receiver. Freiermuth has more potential to be a better complete tight end. Just might have a lower floor.

Freiermuth in reality could wind up someone like a healthy version of Tyler Eifert. If he can function as a better receiving and develop that basketball rebounding skillset, Freiermuth has a shot. His readiness to play as a freshman and productive career makes Freiermuth at least more fail proof.

I have Pat Freiermuth ranked second on my tight end list. Freiermuth feels a bit more volatile as a prospect but that’s also the nature of this position. I don’t think there’s any doubt that Freiermuth can play. It’s a matter of if he can really develop into that baby Gronk that so many people want to compare him too.