The Pittsburgh Steelers have done a lot in the 2024 offseason. Mike Tomlin added Arthur Smith as his offensive coordinator. Omar Khan added three new quarterbacks to the roster, filled a hole at cornerback, and created one at wide receiver when he traded Diontae Johnson to the Carolina Panthers for Donte Jackson and declined to sign a tackle or center in free agency.
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Steelers' Nate Herbig at a training camp practice at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, PA.
That currently leaves Nate Herbig at the top of the depth chart at center, having played all of 58 snaps at the position in the NFL during his five-year career. Pittsburgh has very few options to sign a veteran center at this point in free agency and will likely attempt to fill the position through the draft with Jackson Powers-Johnson, who is suddenly tumbling down draft boards, or West Virginia center Zach Frazier during the first two rounds of the NFL Draft.
Frazier, who suffered a fractured fibula during the 2023 season, which has pushed him down draft boards, joined the Brandon Thorn Podcast on YouTube on February 22nd. While breaking down his film, Frazier explained to Thorn how his time as a high school wrestler influenced how he played center while attending West Virginia.
"The ability to use my hands and hand fight and also just understanding leverage," Frazier said. "Understand like where the defensive line's like weight is and knowing how I can use leverage and shift my weight to move him. It's kind of hard to explain, but just being able to torque people, like you said. It's all really just wrestling out there."
Frazier was an outstanding high school wrestler at Fairmont Senior in West Virginia. He posted a 159-2 record during his high school career and was a four-time state heavyweight champion. His only two losses were 1-0 as a freshman, and he was essentially disqualified for an illegal move in his other loss. Frazier chose to concentrate on football when he enrolled at West Virginia, and the wrestling team's loss might ultimately be the Steelers' gain.
Tony Wolfe
Zach Frazier (top) attempts to pin an opponent during the state tournament in Huntington in February 2018.
A successful wrestling background does not guarantee NFL success, but it is a useful tool in any offensive lineman's toolbox. Frazier may have the advantage in one-on-one pass blocking with his ability to stalemate defensive tackles at or near the line of scrimmage. He also explained how his wrestling background can help his run blocking.
"I just kind of know how to get movement," Frazier continued. "If I ever feel anyone overextended, I just kind of chop them down. I can kind of feel that they're off balance and just you know snap them down, it kind of takes them out of the play a little bit."
Powers-Johnson and other names, like the Georgia Bulldogs' Sedrick Van Pran or the experimental solution known as Graham Barton from the Duke Blue Devils, have circulated as viable options for the Steelers to select at the end of April. Pittsburgh has been searching for a solution at center since Maurkice Pouncey retired.
Steelers' 2024 Draft Strategy Appears To Involve Selecting A Center
Kevin Colbert got cute with the position when he selected Kendrick Green to move from guard to center in the 2021 draft to replace Pouncey. The organization saddled Green with unrealistic expectations, and even put Pouncey's number 53 on him. It failed miserably. Colbert turned to free agent Mason Cole, who had an average year in 2022 and wore out his welcome in 2023. He was released after the 2023 season.
Jaron Summers / West Virginia University
Steelers could select Zach Frazier as their next franchise center in 2024.
The Steelers' need for a center is not a secret, and it is not as simple as just taking one with the first pick. Powers-Johnson's slide down the draft board, combined with the likely presence of a top right tackle prospect like Amarius Mims or JC Latham, could lead to Khan selecting a tackle with the 20th pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. If that happens, the Steelers may have to maneuver to get into position to take one of the other top center prospects like West Virginia's Frazier.
What do you think, Steeler Nation? Who will the Steelers select to play the position in 2024? Please comment below or on my X: @thebubbasq.
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