Steelers TE Pat Freiermuth caught 5 of 7 targets for 44 yards and 2 TDs in Sunday’s 34-22 win over the Colts. His longest catch went for 17 yards, and he added 1 yard on a carry. That totaled 21.5 PPR points. His 7 targets ranked second on the team behind Germie Bernard. Darnell Washington caught 2 of 3 targets for 12 yards.
2026 Fantasy Football Impact: A Higher Target Rate, Not More Snaps
Freiermuth entered the week with 14 catches for 125 yards and 2 TDs on 20 targets. That works out to 5 targets per game, so Sunday’s 7 targets marked an uptick, and his 2 TDs matched his season total. The injuries at WR didn’t change his playing time. Pittsburgh still uses Washington more on early downs, Freiermuth more on third downs, and both in 12 personnel. What changed was his target rate. The Steelers’ three slot receivers combined for zero catches, which pushed more looks to Freiermuth. Indianapolis entered ranked 16th in PPR points allowed to TEs (13.6 per game).
Pittsburgh visits the Buccaneers in Week 6, then hosts the Saints and Browns. This is a great stretch for TEs. Tampa Bay allows the 8th-most TE points (18.5 per game), New Orleans the 5th-most (18.9), and Cleveland the 10th-most (17.2). The Saints and Browns also rank 25th and 17th in our pass defense power rankings. Freiermuth is a TE2 with TE1 upside when he finds the end zone, and his value climbs further if Roman Wilson’s hand injury keeps him out for more games.
