Has Steelers’ Zach Frazier Impressed Enough As Lone Impenetrable Spot On Offensive Line?

The Pittsburgh Steelers' offensive line has not performed as well as expected thus far this offseason, especially considering the team used its last two first-round draft picks on tackles. This year's first-round selection, Troy Fautanu, suffered a knee injury during the first preseason game against the Houston Texans. Last year's top pick, Broderick Jones, did not show the same skill level as 2023 this preseason. He struggled to stop the defensive line against the Buffalo Bills and the Detroit Lions. This is especially worrisome because Jones said after the Bills game, he recognized the errors he made against Greg Rousseau and planned to adjust accordingly, but that didn't happen. 

This situation is only exacerbated by the fact that the Steelers seem to be dealing with a quarterback controversy between Russell Wilson and Justin Fields. They were counting on their offensive line to step it up this season, protecting whichever player was under center. There has been one bright spot: rookie center Zach Frazier. 

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reporters Christopher Carter and Ray Fittipaldo sang his praises on the North Shore Drive Podcast. Carter said he was especially pleased because it was unclear when Frazier would get to start. The Steelers aren't known for throwing their rookies to the wolves, generally easing them in. This was the original plan. Veteran Nate Herbig was listed as the starter. Herbig suffered a torn rotator cuff that is season-ending, giving Frazier the chance he needed sooner than expected. 

"If you talk to his teammates and his coaches, they'll tell you the same thing," said Fittipaldo. "They've been very impressed with his maturity level, his knowledge of the offense, his ability to transition from a college to the pro player. And the last element they were looking for was the on-field physicality in that play. We've seen it, the touchdown run that was blocked up really well."

Frazier, who played center at the University of West Virginia, was also a four-time heavyweight champion wrestler in high school. He started wrestling to help him be a better football player, and some believe he might have been better on the mat than on the gridiron. 

Carter said that according to Pro Football Focus, the only offensive linemen not to give up pressure this preseason were Frazier, Dan Moore Jr., and James Daniels. That means that Frazier, a second-round pick, was the only rookie lineman to perform that well.    

"He's not gonna shy away from blocking 310-pound nose tackles," added Fittipaldo. "He's a wrestling guy. He's got leverage. He's got to be able to get that done on a consistent basis, and as far as pass pro goes, he might be the only Steelers offensive lineman who didn't give up pressure in the preseason. I mean, it was very leaky otherwise, but he was really stout in the middle. That transition from Nate Herbig to Zach Frazier probably would have started before the Atlanta game anyway, I just think the last two weeks, we kind of saw a preview and people have been impressed with Zach Frazier and I think he's going to be solid in his rookie season for the Steelers."

The Steelers have been hunting for a reliable, physical center since Maurkice Pouncey retired. They have plugged in several players, but none of them were effective. Frazier's selection seems to indicate an understanding of how critical the center is to the Steelers' offense. 

Steelers Have Tackle Troubles

Steelers General Manager Omar Khan has frequently mentioned the importance of flexibility regarding his chosen offensive players. We've seen that as the Steelers have moved players around the offensive line and out of their normal spots. 

While Jones seemed to adapt well in 2023, he hasn't so far this season, which has given Moore a chance to shine. Now the team possibly faces having one of their first-round picks on the bench, likely Jones if Fautanu is healthy, and Moore starting in his place. 

What do you think about Frazier's performance so far this preseason? Click to comment below. 

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