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The Pittsburgh Steelers 2022 NFL Draft is over, and they did an excellent job filling holes in drafting a potential franchise quarterback, restocking the wide receiver room, and adding depth on the defensive line. The 2022 Steelers still have some work to do on the roster however, but they definitely have the potential to be a deeper, more talented team across almost every area of the field, except at the key position of tight end.
In 2021, the Steelers spent their second round draft pick on Pat Freiermuth, and based on last season’s results, it seems they have found the primary tight end for foreseeable future. Freiermuth had a solid rookie season and Pro Football Focus graded him as the 9th best tight end in the league in 2021. He caught 60 passes for 497 yards and 7 touchdowns. He took over for Eric Ebron as the starter halfway through the season and is now the unquestioned top of the depth chart.
Ebron had a disappointing tenure with the Steelers and apart from a couple of big plays in 2020, he was a miss by Kevin Colbert. Ebron had season-ending knee surgery and is now an unrestricted free agent. Zach Gentry ascended to the second tight end position and started 12 games for the Steelers in 2021. Gentry was drafted in the fifth round of the 2019 NFL Draft and played sparingly during the first two seasons before finding a consistent spot on the field last season. Gentry who started his career for the Michigan Wolverines as a quarterback in 2015, converted to tight end in 2017 and had a solid junior season for Michigan with 32 catches. Gentry elected to turn pro a year early, but after a disappointing NFL Combine where he ranked near the bottom of every measurable, it makes you wonder if he had returned to Michigan for his senior season to continue to learn the position, if he would have been a higher draft choice.
He is a huge target at 6 feet 8 inches tall and the Steelers selected him hoping he would turn into a go-to option in the red zone. His height gives a solid advantage over virtually any defensive back in the league. He is a little slower than the average tight end, so his ability to make combat catches will be his bread and butter in the NFL, or it will be his undoing. He caught 19 of 25 passes in 12 games, but never materialized as a true threat in the passing game. He was ranked as the 28th best tight end by Pro Football Focus.
Gentry is entering his fourth season and like the rest of the 2019 draft class, his long-term status is up in the air. In retrospect, it is turning into one of Colbert’s worst efforts as the Steelers GM, which is extremely rare. The Steelers have declined first round draft pick Devin Bush’s option. Diontae Johnson‘s (who is the bona fide star of the class), status is up in the air. Justin Layne has had trouble staying on the field, Benny Snell Jr. has been a disappointment, and that brings us back to Gentry. It is admirable how hard he has worked for the opportunity to get on the field, but based on Ebron’s disappointing performance and Vance McDonald’s injury history, the fact it took him three years to earn the position by default is a little troublesome. I like Gentry and I hope the ability he showed as a serviceable blocker continues to develop. Considering the Steelers’ new signal callers, I wonder if his route running and inability to get separation will hinder any chemistry with whoever the Steelers quarterback is going to be in 2022.
Connor Heyward (#11). | Nick King/Lansing State Journal
The Steelers selected Connor Heyward from Michigan State in the sixth round of the 2022 NFL Draft, and he is one year into converting from a fullback to a tight end. Heyward pre-conversion may have been the best fullback in this draft, but Derek Watt currently occupies that position on the depth chart and has shown himself to be a special teams ace. Heyward is only 6 feet tall, and he would be the shortest tight end in the league assuming that becomes his full-time position. He could be a real asset in a 3 tight end set or a pistol 3-back formation as a tremendous lead blocker, but the reality is that if he makes a Pro Bowl, he would be the smallest tight end in the Super Bowl era to do so. It does not mean he can’t have a fine career, but it probably won’t be at tight end.
The other option on the roster is Kevin Rader who is an undrafted 27-year-old free agent from Youngstown State. He has played in seven games in four seasons and did start one game out of necessity for the 2021 Steelers. The 6-foot 4-inch 250 pounder also does not seem like the long-term answer.
Whoever the next general manager of the Black and Gold is, prioritizing competition for Gentry should be a priority. Matt Canada likes spread formations, RPO’s and jet sweeps, but 2 tight end sets are going to be part of the equation. Traditional 22 formations with 2 tight ends and a fullback will be necessary at various points of the season and the Steelers owe the team the chance to ensure that the best possible options are on the field. That means testing Gentry in camp by bringing in a viable veteran tight end to compete. There is an excellent option who is still a free agent and would be an inexpensive addition to the roster. He has shown flashes throughout his career, but was not the number one option for his former teams, so he should mesh well as an alternate option in the passing game.
Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images
Pruitt was a fifth round draft pick in 2015 and fought his way onto the field for the Minnesota Vikings in 2015. He struggled to find time in 2016-17 for the Vikings, Chicago Bears, and the Houston Texans. In 2018, he found a home with the Tennessee Titans and has been part of their team for the last four years. He should provide fierce competition for Gentry, so he has to work to earn the second tight end position. He is also only 6 feet 2 inches and was the shortest tight end who received regular snaps in the NFL, which could provide invaluable insight for Heyward to help him develop into a viable option as a tight end.
Pruitt was graded the 11th best tight end in 2021 by Pro Football Focus. He is an above average run blocker. Pruitt has been underutilized in the passing game but 7 of his 46 career catches have been for touchdowns, 27 have been for first downs and he has 1 drop in his career. In addition, when he has had an opportunity, quarterbacks have an average 130 passer rating when they target him. He is a veteran from a run-first option offense that could provide this very young group unselfish leadership.
The Steelers are quietly poised to have a great year if the offense takes advantage of the available skill sets, but in December in Pittsburgh, a time will come where you need 2-3 tight ends to help smash open holes for Najee Harris and exceptional tight end blocking will be necessary to assist an improved, but very young offensive line. Competition will reveal if Zach Gentry is the best man for the job or not.
What do you think, Steeler Nation? Please comment below or follow me on Twitter @thebubbasq.
Support SteelerNation by clicking here to read the story..
In 2021, the Steelers spent their second round draft pick on Pat Freiermuth, and based on last season’s results, it seems they have found the primary tight end for foreseeable future. Freiermuth had a solid rookie season and Pro Football Focus graded him as the 9th best tight end in the league in 2021. He caught 60 passes for 497 yards and 7 touchdowns. He took over for Eric Ebron as the starter halfway through the season and is now the unquestioned top of the depth chart.
Ebron had a disappointing tenure with the Steelers and apart from a couple of big plays in 2020, he was a miss by Kevin Colbert. Ebron had season-ending knee surgery and is now an unrestricted free agent. Zach Gentry ascended to the second tight end position and started 12 games for the Steelers in 2021. Gentry was drafted in the fifth round of the 2019 NFL Draft and played sparingly during the first two seasons before finding a consistent spot on the field last season. Gentry who started his career for the Michigan Wolverines as a quarterback in 2015, converted to tight end in 2017 and had a solid junior season for Michigan with 32 catches. Gentry elected to turn pro a year early, but after a disappointing NFL Combine where he ranked near the bottom of every measurable, it makes you wonder if he had returned to Michigan for his senior season to continue to learn the position, if he would have been a higher draft choice.
He is a huge target at 6 feet 8 inches tall and the Steelers selected him hoping he would turn into a go-to option in the red zone. His height gives a solid advantage over virtually any defensive back in the league. He is a little slower than the average tight end, so his ability to make combat catches will be his bread and butter in the NFL, or it will be his undoing. He caught 19 of 25 passes in 12 games, but never materialized as a true threat in the passing game. He was ranked as the 28th best tight end by Pro Football Focus.
The Steelers Have Declined Devin Bush’s Fifth-Year Option
Gentry is entering his fourth season and like the rest of the 2019 draft class, his long-term status is up in the air. In retrospect, it is turning into one of Colbert’s worst efforts as the Steelers GM, which is extremely rare. The Steelers have declined first round draft pick Devin Bush’s option. Diontae Johnson‘s (who is the bona fide star of the class), status is up in the air. Justin Layne has had trouble staying on the field, Benny Snell Jr. has been a disappointment, and that brings us back to Gentry. It is admirable how hard he has worked for the opportunity to get on the field, but based on Ebron’s disappointing performance and Vance McDonald’s injury history, the fact it took him three years to earn the position by default is a little troublesome. I like Gentry and I hope the ability he showed as a serviceable blocker continues to develop. Considering the Steelers’ new signal callers, I wonder if his route running and inability to get separation will hinder any chemistry with whoever the Steelers quarterback is going to be in 2022.
Connor Heyward (#11). | Nick King/Lansing State Journal
The Steelers selected Connor Heyward from Michigan State in the sixth round of the 2022 NFL Draft, and he is one year into converting from a fullback to a tight end. Heyward pre-conversion may have been the best fullback in this draft, but Derek Watt currently occupies that position on the depth chart and has shown himself to be a special teams ace. Heyward is only 6 feet tall, and he would be the shortest tight end in the league assuming that becomes his full-time position. He could be a real asset in a 3 tight end set or a pistol 3-back formation as a tremendous lead blocker, but the reality is that if he makes a Pro Bowl, he would be the smallest tight end in the Super Bowl era to do so. It does not mean he can’t have a fine career, but it probably won’t be at tight end.
The other option on the roster is Kevin Rader who is an undrafted 27-year-old free agent from Youngstown State. He has played in seven games in four seasons and did start one game out of necessity for the 2021 Steelers. The 6-foot 4-inch 250 pounder also does not seem like the long-term answer.
Whoever the next general manager of the Black and Gold is, prioritizing competition for Gentry should be a priority. Matt Canada likes spread formations, RPO’s and jet sweeps, but 2 tight end sets are going to be part of the equation. Traditional 22 formations with 2 tight ends and a fullback will be necessary at various points of the season and the Steelers owe the team the chance to ensure that the best possible options are on the field. That means testing Gentry in camp by bringing in a viable veteran tight end to compete. There is an excellent option who is still a free agent and would be an inexpensive addition to the roster. He has shown flashes throughout his career, but was not the number one option for his former teams, so he should mesh well as an alternate option in the passing game.
MyCole Pruitt
Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images
Pruitt was a fifth round draft pick in 2015 and fought his way onto the field for the Minnesota Vikings in 2015. He struggled to find time in 2016-17 for the Vikings, Chicago Bears, and the Houston Texans. In 2018, he found a home with the Tennessee Titans and has been part of their team for the last four years. He should provide fierce competition for Gentry, so he has to work to earn the second tight end position. He is also only 6 feet 2 inches and was the shortest tight end who received regular snaps in the NFL, which could provide invaluable insight for Heyward to help him develop into a viable option as a tight end.
Pruitt was graded the 11th best tight end in 2021 by Pro Football Focus. He is an above average run blocker. Pruitt has been underutilized in the passing game but 7 of his 46 career catches have been for touchdowns, 27 have been for first downs and he has 1 drop in his career. In addition, when he has had an opportunity, quarterbacks have an average 130 passer rating when they target him. He is a veteran from a run-first option offense that could provide this very young group unselfish leadership.
The Steelers are quietly poised to have a great year if the offense takes advantage of the available skill sets, but in December in Pittsburgh, a time will come where you need 2-3 tight ends to help smash open holes for Najee Harris and exceptional tight end blocking will be necessary to assist an improved, but very young offensive line. Competition will reveal if Zach Gentry is the best man for the job or not.
What do you think, Steeler Nation? Please comment below or follow me on Twitter @thebubbasq.
Support SteelerNation by clicking here to read the story..
