The tight end position has been a barren wasteland this season. Only three of the preseason top 10 drafted are in the top 10 for total PPR points scored through three weeks. Brock Bowers is the only tight end to have two weeks with double-digit PPR points!
So the bar to being a viable fantasy tight end is low.
Freiermuth was selected in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers. He immediately earned targets, garnering 79 during his rookie season, which he translated into 60 receptions for 497 yards and seven touchdowns. The following season, he received 98 targets and hauled in 63 for 732 yards and two touchdowns. Last season, a hamstring injury limited him to 12 games.
Entering this season, he was being drafted as the 15th tight end on average. The talent has never been questioned, but the quarterback situation in Pittsburgh has never been ideal while the hiring of Arthur Smith snuffed out any optimism for aerial optimism.
And that’s how things have played out so far. The Steelers are 30th in pass rate and are 3-0, so that formula will continue to be employed.
Freiermuth has played in 74%, 58% and 81% of the snaps while receiving four, four and five targets. He has four receptions in every contest but has not yet exceeded 40 yards receiving. In addition, he has only one red-zone look.
Both the Colts and Steelers are going to run the ball, which will keep the clock running and limit the number of offensive snaps and possessions. It’s unlikely that either team races out a big lead, so the status quo should remain throughout the contest.
The Colts stymied the Bears rush game in Week 3, but that’s not saying much. In the first two weeks, Joe Mixon rushed 30 times for 159 yards then Josh Jacobs rumbled 32 times for 151 yards.
The Steelers are going to run the ball, then run the ball some more, then run the ball some more after that. Freiermuth will get his four looks but most will be within five yards of the line of scrimmage. He has one reception over 10 yards this season and has run only three routes past 20 yards.
The upside seems so low for Freiermuth. I’d rather look for someone in a better game environment.
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