Pittsburgh Steelers 2024 Draft Pick Spotlight- Zach Frazier

Name- Zach Frazier

Position- Center

Height- 6’3”

Weight- 311 lbs

Team- West Virginia

Drafted- 2nd round (51st pick overall by Pittsburgh)

The Pittsburgh Steelers selected center Zach Frazier out of West Virginia in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Frazier was a four-time wrestling state champion, losing only two matches in his career in high school. As a center in high school he was named the #1 prospect in the state of West Virginia, and the #7 center in the country by 247Sports.

At West Virginia, Frazier started 9 out of 10 games at left guard and was the first true freshman to start on the offensive line for West Virginia since 1980. He did not allow a sack in 9 games and was named Freshman All-American by 247Sports. 

In 2022, Frazier was named All-Big 12 Conference First Team after starting all 12 games and only allowing 1 sack. He was credited with 51 knockdowns and was listed as having 11 games without missing an assignment.

At the combine, Frazier measured in with 32 ¼ “ length and 10 7/8 “ hands. He also had 30 reps in the bench press. At his pro day in West Virginia, he ran a 5.24 in the 40 yard dash, had a 28.5-inch vertical and an 8-foot, 4-inch broad jump. 

The Steelers drafted the center they have been looking for since Maurkice Pouncey retired at the end of the 2020 season. 

“They are getting a hard worker who is going to give everything he has to the organization to win football games,” Frazier said according to the team’s website. “ I couldn’t be more excited”

Frazier should be the starter on day one and lead the Steelers offensive line for the next decade. 

"I just know how much the offensive line means to the Pittsburgh Steelers, their long tradition of having great O-linemen and great offensive lines," Frazier said on Friday night. "It's special.”

Here is a look at Draft Nation’s scouting report on Zach Frazier:

Strengths

• Agility
• Football I.Q.
• Initial Punch
• Leadership

Frazier is agile and gets to the second level easily. He fires out of his stance and plays with excellent pad level. He excels in run blocking and brings a nasty side that NFL teams like to see. 

Using his wrestling skills, Frazier is really good at winning battles at the point of attack. He understands the line assignments of all his linemates and is quick to call out potential blitzes. 

Weaknesses

• Pass Blocking
• Playing in Space

On the downside, Frazier is a better run blocker than he is a pass blocker and he is more effective in a phone booth than making plays out in the open.