Zach Frazier
Zach Frazier
There are a few questions about the Pittsburgh Steelers’ offensive line going into this season. However, one thing that’s certain is that they’re set at center. The Steelers struggled to fill the void left by Maurkice Pouncey after he retired following the 2020 season, and Zach Frazier has finally given them consistency at that position. While it is still early in his NFL career, Frazier is on the rise. Offensive line expert Duke Manyweather even ranked Frazier as the best center in the NFL.
“I’ve got Zach Frazier as my number one,” Manyweather said recently on Terron Armstead’s YouTube channel. “I don’t want to say number two is Creed [Humphrey], I think they’re 1A and 1B. If you’re looking for a consistency standpoint, both of them have been very consistent in what they do. Here’s the difference for me, just because I love it.
“What I see Zach has done in the NFL, in terms of a physicality and a finishing standpoint, whether it be in the run game and in pass protection, it almost mirrors his level of physical dominance that we saw at West Virgina. For a guy to come in and physically dominate at a position in his second year, and it look very similar to his college tape in the NFL, is a pretty impressive thing.”
The Steelers drafted Frazier in the second round in 2024, but he had first-round talent. However, positional value and a leg injury in his final college season caused him to fall. That was to the Steelers’ benefit, though.
Frazier was a stud in college, starting 46 games in four years at West Virginia. Physicality and toughness were his calling cards. That was evident when Frazier willed himself off the field after hurting his leg so that his team didn’t have to burn a timeout.
He’s been as advertised in the NFL, too. Frazier made an instant impact in Pittsburgh. He won the starting job as a rookie, and he hasn’t looked back.
However, there’s a lot of competition for the title of best center in the NFL. As Manyweather mentioned, Humphrey is the obvious answer. A 2021 second-round pick by the Kansas City Chiefs, Humphrey has been a first-team All-Pro each of the last two seasons. While the Chiefs’ offensive line has issues, Humphrey is undoubtedly a star.
There are other great centers in the NFL, too. Aaron Brewer of the Miami Dolphins broke out last year, being named a second-team All-Pro. Tyler Linderbaum has made three straight Pro Bowls and reset the market this offseason after signing a massive deal with the Las Vegas Raiders.
Frazier has not received as much recognition as some of the other top centers, but he has a chance to take that top spot this year. He’s going into his third year, and he could take a leap. Manyweather seems confident in Frazier’s potential, calling his shot with this ranking.