Tag: Zach Frazier

New Steelers C Zach Frazier shows ultimate tough-guy move in college

Zach Frazier brings a mentality of toughness to the Steelers.

In the second round of the 2024 NFL draft, the Pittsburgh Steelers selected former West Virginia center Zach Fraizer. Frazier is a mauler with a powerful punch and the ability to finish every play. He’s also one of the toughest dudes you will ever come across.

If you want an example of just how tough Frazier is, here ya go. In the Mountaineers final game of the 2023 college football season, Frazier broke his leg on his team’s final drive. Frazier had the presence to know his team had no timeouts remaining so he couldn’t just lay down on the field and wait for help to arrive.

So instead he got up and did a three-limbed bear crawl off the field as fast as he could to make sure his team could keep marching down the field and waste no time on him.

If you want a follow-up just consider when Frazier addressed the media after being selected by the Steelers he declared he was 100 percent healthy despite suffering the broken leg in late November of 2023.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Steelers land third-most athletic class in 2024 NFL draft

The Steelers last two drafts have been among the best in the NFL thanks to keying on the most athletic prospects.

Last year, with General Manager Omar Khan and assistant GM Andy Weidl in charge of the Pittsburgh Steelers NFL draft, we saw a huge shift in the Steelers draft philosophy. We saw a huge emphasis on overall athleticism and it really paid off.

2024 was a repeat performance as the Steelers front office landed the third-most athletic draft class in the NFL based On RAS. RAS stands for Relative Athletic Score and is an objective system set up by Kent Lee Platte to compare prospects based on hard data.

We project that offensive tackle Troy Fautanu and center Zach Frazier will both be in the Steelers starting lineup on opening weekend. We also expect wide receiver Roman Wilson and linebacker Payton Wilson will both be in heavy rotation from the beginning as well as they find their fit in the system.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Steelers select G Mason McCormick in fourth round of the 2024 NFL draft

The Steelers have now selectred three offensive linemen in the 2024 NFL draft.

Sometimes a player is just too good to pass up. Despite drafting offensive tackle Troy Fautanu in the first round and center Zach Frazier in the second round, Pittsburgh went back to the offensive line in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL draft to land former South Carolina State guard Mason McCormick.

McCormick put his name on the draft radar of all 32 teams when he dominated the NFL scouting combine. He was rated the second-most athletic guard at the combine.

We viewed McCormick as a top Steelers prospect based on his ability to move to center but with Zach Frazier int he fold already, McCormick can focus strictly on playing guard.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Steelers NFL Draft grade: Zach Frazier, IOL, West Virginia 51st overall

The Steelers landed their starting center int he second round.

The Pittsburgh Steelers continue to make major investments along their offensive line after using back to back first-round draft picks on tackles they now get some interior help with the selection of West Virginia interior offensive lineman Zach Frazier with the 51st overall selection in the 2024 NFL draft.

Frazier projects as the immediate starter as the Pittsburgh center and should bring massive improvement along the shaky interior of the Steelers offensive line. Troy Fautanu, Broderick Jones, and Zach Frazier will make a young offensive line core for the Steelers to lean on for years to come.

A scrappy, strong, and quick lineman, Frazier brings his wrestling skillset over to the football field and wins in a similar fashion. Expect Frazier to be productive early in helping out both the passing and running game in Pittsburgh.

Grade: B+

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Steelers QB Russell Wilson reacts to draft pick Zach Frazier

Steelers QB Russell Wilson could hardly contain his excitement about rookie Zach Frazier.

Nothing is more important to a quarterback, especially one on the downside of his career, than a stout offensive line. And Russell Wilson now has it, thanks to the Pittsburgh Steelers’ first two picks: Tackle Troy Fautanu and center Zach Frazier.

Wilson kept his response short and sweet, posting “FRAZ!!!”

With Broderick Jones, James Daniels, Isaac Seumalo, Fautanu and now Frazier, Wilson should have the protection he needs to go to work in 2024.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Steelers rookie center Zach Frazier shares video message with fans

Steelers rookie C Zach Frazier took a moment to share a video message with fans.

Omar Khan and Mike Tomlin (tried to) put on a good front about their team not having an urgent need for a center. Only most of Steelers Nation didn’t fall for it and for good reason — it was an urgent need and Zach Frazier appears to fill it.

“I couldn’t be more excited,” Frazier said in a video message via the Pittsburgh Steelers’ X account. “I’m ready to get to work. Can’t wait to get up there tomorrow. Can’t wait.”

Something we immediately notice: Zach Frazier can’t wait. And neither can we.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Around the North: Steelers bolster interior line with Zach Frazier C from WVU

Pittsburgh Steelers draft Zach Frazier the center from West Virginia University

The second day of the NFL draft has started and the Pittsburgh Steelers made their second pick. With the 51st pick in the 2024 NFL draft, the Steelers drafted Zach Frazier the center out of West Virginia University. According to Arif Hasan’s consensus big board, Frazier was ranked as the third-best center prospect. 

Frazier’s biggest draft knock was his injury history. Frazier suffered a fractured tibia during a game against Baylor in late November. Frazier went viral on social media when he crawled off the field immediately after the injury. The heads-up play saved West Virginia a delay of game penalty as they were out of timeouts. West Virginia won the game later that drive. 

The Steelers drafted a tough, hard-nosed center in Frazier. It’s unclear when Frazier will be medically cleared to play and if he’ll miss time this season. Pittsburgh have dedicated their first two picks to fortifying their offensive line. They drafted the guard Troy Fautano from the University of Washington earlier. 

2024 NFL draft: Grade the Steelers pick of C Zach Frazier

We give the pick of Zach Frazier an A.

The Pittsburgh Steelers went into the 2024 NFL draft needing to rebuild the offensive line and boy howdy have they done it. First, the Steelers drafted their new starting right tackle in the first round when they selected former Washington tackle Troy Fautanu.

Then moving to the second round, Pittsburgh watched West Virginia center Zach Frazier fall into their laps. Frazier will be an immediate and significant upgrade over Mason Cole and is the second guy the Steelers have brought in to bring a nasty edge to an offensive line that got pushed around way too much last season.

For us, this one is an easy A, just like the Fautanu pick was. Frazier is a mauler who does everything you want from a center. He has a real shot to be the next great Steelers center and definitely the best guy since Maurkice Pouncey.

Cast your vote and give us your grade for the pick of Frazier.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Steelers select C Zach Frazier in the 2nd round of the 2024 NFL draft

The Steelers got their starting center in the second round of the 2024 NFL draft.

The Pittsburgh Steelers might have done more for their roster in just two picks in the 2024 NFL draft than any other team that didn’t pick a quarterback. First the Steelers get a bargain with offensive tackle Troy Fautanu in the first round and now come back in the second round and select former West Virginia center Zach Frazier.

Pittsburgh released last year’s starting center Mason Cole at the start of free agency but didn’t show any real interest in any veteran centers. This had us confident the Steelers would target one of the three big safeties in the draft. With Graham Barton and Jackson Powers-Johnson off the board, picking Frazier was an easy choice.

Frazier is an absolute mauler who utilizes his wrestling background to beat defenders with leverage and power. Frazier is a guy who is going to be plug and play starter with lots of Pro Bowls and All-Pros on his resume.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Snap decision: Will Steelers take a center on Day 2 of 2024 NFL draft?

There is conflicting information about whether or not the Steelers will select a center on Day 2 of the 2024 NFL draft.

In just a few short hours, the second day of the 2024 NFL draft will kick off and the Pittsburgh Steelers will see if they can top their pick of offensive tackle Troy Fautanu from the first round.

Most fans and NFL draft pundits feel like after getting a franchise starting offensive tackle, landing a starting center in the second round would be the definition of the best-case scenario.

But there is conflicting information about what the Steelers have planned for the position according to two Steelers beat writers.

Mark Kaboly of The Athletic says the Steelers have no plans to select a center in Rounds 2 or 3. Meanwhile, longtime beat writer Gerry Dulac says the Steelers are targeting West Virginia center Zach Frazier in the second and understand they might have to move up to get him.

We are very hopeful that the Steelers will address center in either the second or third round as well as adding a playmaker at receiver. Pittsburgh has three picks on day two including two picks in the third round.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]