It’s happened a little sooner and in a different circumstance than hoped for, but Pittsburgh Steelers second-round pick Zach Frazier is the new starting center for the team.
Frazier, the No. 52 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, was repping behind veteran Nate Herbig at center throughout the summer. Herbig suffered an unfortunate injury, a torn rotator cuff in his shoulder that reports indicate will keep him out for the season.
Herbig’s severe injury thrusts Frazier into the starting lineup. The center from West Virginia has done well in camp and fared decently in Pittsburgh’s two preseason matchups, earning an overall 63.5 grade from PFF. He has yet to allow a QB pressure or sack in 83 total preseason snaps.
Frazier was seen by many draft analysts as a “plug-and-play” talent with a mature game. Even so, the Steelers were hoping to not have to test that under these circumstances.