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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Best remaining prospects for Detroit’s second-round pick

Best remaining prospects for Detroit’s second-round pick at No. 61 overall

The Detroit Lions are currently sitting at pick 61, near the end of the second round. They currently do not have a third round pick after trading it last night to move up and take Terrion Arnold.

This puts them in a tough situation for the second day of the draft. While there are still plenty of talented players available at the moment, many will not be there by the time the Lions are on the clock.

With that said, there are some prospects who the Lions could still target with pick 61.

OL Zach Frazier, West Virginia

Sep 17, 2022; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers offensive lineman Zach Frazier (54) during the first quarter against the Towson Tigers at Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports

Dubbed a “Dan Campbell guy” by NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah, Zach Frazier should be at the top of Detroit’s list heading into day two.

With a wrestling background and above-average athleticism, Frazier would be a perfect fit for what the Lions are building on offense. While his services wouldn’t be needed immediately, he would provide quality depth in 2024 while being able to learn from veteran guards Kevin Zeitler and Graham Glasgow.

If Frazier is not there by the time the Lions pick, players like Cooper Beebe or Christian Haynes could also be quality options for Detroit.

WR Keon Coleman, Florida State

Nov 18, 2023; Tallahassee, Florida, USA; Florida State Seminoles wide receiver Keon Coleman (4) catches a ball in the endzone to score a touchdown against the North Alabama Lions during the third quarter at Doak S. Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Morgan Tencza-USA TODAY Sports

While he isn’t the speedster that most people want in a wide receiver, Coleman very much is the missing piece in Detroit’s offense.

Detroit has Jameson Williams and Amon-Ra St. Brown penned as their top pass-catchers, and Coleman would be the perfect compliment to them. He’s a bigger framed player who makes up for his lack of speed with his physicality and ability to out-muscle opposing defenders.

At the end of the day, the Lions could always benefit from getting another weapon for Jared Goff. Receivers such as Adonai Mitchell, Ja’Lynn Polk, and Roman Wilson are also options at 61.

EDGE Marshawn Kneeland, Western Michigan

Feb 29, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Western Michigan defensive lineman Marshawn Kneeland (DL41) works out during the 2024 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

There’s no such thing as having too many talented edge defenders. While it may not seem like a glaring need, Detroit would greatly benefit from having more defensive ends that they can rotate in as needed.

Kneeland could be that guy for the Lions. Paired with the likes of Aidan Hutchinson, Marcus Davenport, James Houston, John Cominsky, and Josh Paschal, Kneeland would be one more athletic option to aid in the pass rush.

He also has versatility going for him. With his frame, he would be able to slide inside and play some three-technique or be on the outside and blitz from a stand-up linebacker position.

If Kneeland is unavailable, other options at the edge include Alabama’s Chris Braswell or Washington’s Braden Trice.

What separates the top interior OL prospects in the 2024 NFL draft?

NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah breaks down the differences between this year’s top interior blockers in the NFL draft

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers need to upgrade multiple spots along the interior of their offensive line, and the 2024 NFL draft has a few prospects at the top of the class who would be ideal fits with their first-round pick.

On a recent conference call with the media, NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah was asked about the differences between Duke’s Graham Barton, Oregon’s Jackson Powers-Johnson, and West Virginia’s Zach Frazier.

The question was asked from the perspective of how they would fit with the Detroit Lions, but DJ’s answer had plenty of info that would apply to how the Bucs might evaluate the trio:

If you asked me who’s the Lion in the group, I would say the third one, Frazier. The fourtime state champ wrestler. A guy who’s got a tenacity and a  physicality to and through the whistle. He kind of fits their style, as you know, there. I think he’s worthy being taken there in the bottom of the first round. I have no problem with that at all.

In terms of stylistically, Graham Barton is the best athlete of the three. I think he has legit 5 position flexibility. He can move around and do different things. Played left tackle. I think he’s best at center, but he can survive at tackle if you needed him to. I think he’s fully capable of playing guard as well. He’s the best in space, change in direction, just overall athleticism. He’s really, really talented there.

Jackson PowersJohnson, he’s just bigger. He’s 328 pounds. He’s going to be more set a firm pocket. You want more of a mauler/brawler in the run game. He’s not a poor athlete. He’s just not the athlete the other two guys are out in space. But he’s a physical, strong, sturdy presence there in the middle who you’ll be able to set a nice deep pocket with him.

I think they’re three kind of distinctly different players, but I think all three of them are excellent, and I think all three of them are ready to start right away.

Barton’s athleticism and versatility would likely appeal most to the Bucs, who need help at both left guard and center, while Powers-Johnson and Frazier would both be more direct fits at the center spot.

If Barton is available at the No. 26 pick, it feels like an easy selection for Tampa Bay to make. If he’s off the board, moving back a few slots and targeting one of the center prospects would be the ideal move if the Bucs want to address that area of the line with their top pick.

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Daniel Jeremiah sees one prospect as ‘the Lion’ of the IOL draft class

NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah sees West Virginia’s Zach Frazier as ‘the Lion’ of the IOL draft class

As draft time rapidly approaches, sorting out position groups and which prospects are better fits than others for the Detroit Lions is a full-time gig. Sometimes an outsider with good knowledge can provide an interesting, informed perspective to blow through the localized smoke.

Such is the case for the Lions and NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah. In Jeremiah’s pre-draft conference call with media all around the country on Wednesday afternoon, “DJ” weighed in on how he sees the top interior offensive line prospects in next week’s draft in relation to the Detroit Lions.

“I’ve talked about that a bunch around the league is these three guys paired together and teams going through their meetings trying to sort these guys out,” Jeremiah said early in his conference call. “I would have Graham Barton, Jackson Powers-Johnson, and then Zach Frazier.”

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That’s not necessarily true for the Lions, however. The longtime draft analyst and former NFL scout likes Frazier the best to fit what the Lions want in an interior offensive lineman.

“If you asked me who’s the Lion in the group, I would say the third one, Frazier,” Jeremiah declared. “The four-time state champ wrestler. A guy who’s got a tenacity and a physicality to and through the whistle. He kind of fits their style, as you know, there. I think he’s worthy of being taken there in the bottom of the first round. I have no problem with that at all.”

Frazier isn’t typically projected in the first round, though some mocks have slotted him in that range and to the Lions specifically.

As for Barton, it’s clear Jeremiah is a big fan.

“In terms of stylistically, Graham Barton is the best athlete of the three,” Jeremiah continued. “I think he has legit five-position flexibility. He can move around and do different things. Played left tackle. I think he’s best at center, but he can survive at tackle if you needed him to. I think he’s fully capable of playing guard as well. He’s the best in space, change in direction, just overall athleticism. He’s really, really talented there.”

What about Powers-Johnson?

“Jackson Powers-Johnson, he’s just bigger. He’s 328 pounds. He’s going to be
more set a firm pocket. You want more of a mauler/brawler in the run game.
He’s not a poor athlete. He’s just not the athlete the other two guys are out in
space. But he’s a physical, strong, sturdy presence there in the middle who
you’ll be able to set a nice deep pocket with him.”

While Jeremiah sees Frazier as the most “Lion” of the trio, he doesn’t think there’s a wrong decision to be made by Detroit with any of the trio.

“I think they’re three kind of distinctly different players, but I think all three of them are excellent, and I think all three of them are ready to start right away.”

Mock draft watch: Breaking down the Lions haul in The Athletic’s 7-round projections

Mock draft watch: Breaking down the Lions haul in The Athletic’s 7-round projections from Dane Brugler

The latest projections from longtime NFL draft analyst Dane Brugler from The Athletic are now out, and it’s a massive undertaking. Brugler projected all seven rounds in his latest mock draft.

For the Detroit Lions, Brugler projected a trade out of the first round. This mock draft has the Las Vegas Raiders moving up to No. 29 and sending the Lions No. 44 and No. 77 overall so the Raiders can snag Washington QB Michael Penix Jr.

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That leaves Detroit with two second-round picks and two more in the third. The Day 2 picks focus on most of the team’s primary needs.

Brugler’s final haul for Detroit:

2 (44). Zach Frazier, G/C, West Virginia
2 (61). Braden Fiske, DT, Florida State
3 (73). Ja’Lynn Polk, WR, Washington
3 (77). Caelen Carson, CB, Wake Forest
5 (164). Braiden McGregor, Edge, Michigan
6 (201). Will Reichard, K, Alabama
6 (205). Sione Vaki, S, Utah
7 (249). Johnny Dixon, CB, Penn State

A lot of those names should look familiar for Lions fans. Frazier, Fiske and Polk have all been common second-round names in recent Detroit projections. Selecting a kicker in the sixth would surely be a debatable point in the fanbase, as would ignoring the giant hole at offensive tackle behind starters Taylor Decker and Penei Sewell–especially in light of Decker’s recent foot surgeries (yes, plural).

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None of the players selected here would be projected to start in 2024, a prevailing theme for Detroit’s championship-caliber roster.