Steelers double down on the offensive line with West Virginia center Zach Frazier in the 2nd Round
It's official: The Pittsburgh Steelers drafted West Virginia center Zach Frazier with the 51st overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Ater taking one of the best tackles in the draft last night, Pittsburgh went back to the trenches in round 2 with one of the best centers in the draft via West Virginia's Zach […]
It's official: The Pittsburgh Steelers drafted West Virginia center Zach Frazier with the 51st overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Ater taking one of the best tackles in the draft last night, Pittsburgh went back to the trenches in round 2 with one of the best centers in the draft via West Virginia's Zach Frazier. Here is what's best about his game:
Strengths
- Leverage: Consistently the low man, both at the point of attack and when driving to the second level
- Finish: Acts like a dump truck on every play he can, grounding anyone he gets his hands on
- Instincts: Eyes in the back of his head, targets show up on his radar quickly
Evaluation:
Zach Frazier is an elite run-blocking center who looks to inflict his will on anyone in his vicinity and on every rep. With an expert ability to strike and drop defenders, his utility as a day-one upgrade in a rushing attack far outweighs any limitations in terms of length or pass protection.
A four-year starter at West Virginia, Frazier was the starting center in head coach Neal Brown’s balanced scheme, using both zone and gap principles. He put together an All-American resume (on and off the field) during his time in Morgantown, starting 37 consecutive games at center before his broken leg in the 20 23 regular-season finale. Frazier is a leverage-based blocker with the knee bend and grip strength expected of a four-time state champion high school wrestler (he won the genetic lottery for a center — his father’s side were football players and his mother’s side were wrestlers). At times, his hands get out in front and his feet are late to catch up, but he consistently finds a way to stay under control and finish. Overall, Frazier might not boast elite athleticism or length, but he is good enough in those areas and will win over NFL teams with his core strength, football IQ, competitive toughness and understanding of leverage. He projects as a quality NFL starting center the moment he is drafted. -Dane Brugler, The Athletic
Final Word
Pittsburgh is making it clear that their intention in 2024 is to get back the Steelers' way of the past, running the football and winning with physicality and toughness. That was evident with Fautanu in round one, but no pick will embody it more than Frazier, who is one of the toughest players in the class.
