Steelers Now
In ESPN’s annual survey that includes voting from league executives, coaches and scouts to help rank the top 10 players at 11 different positions, Pittsburgh Steelers second-year center Zach Frazier was left out of the top 10 in the interior offensive lineman category.
Frazier did not even crack the honorable mention list. He was in the ‘others receiving votes’ section list, however.
Kansas City Chiefs center Creed Humphrey was the No. 1 ranked interior offensive lineman in the NFL, followed by Dallas Cowboys guard Tyler Smith, Indianapolis Colts guard Quenton Nelson, Kansas City Chiefs guard Trey Smith and Philadelphia Eagles guard Landon Dickerson. Baltimore Ravens center Tyler Linderbaum, who came in at No. 10, was the second-ranked center.
Frazier was tabbed as the third-best center in Pro Football Focus’ recent position rankings, behind only Linderbaum and Humphrey.
“The Steelers hit it out of the park when they selected Frazier in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft. At just 24 years old, he heads into his second year poised to build on an excellent rookie campaign during which he placed fourth in PFF overall grade (77.9) among qualifying centers,” Mason Cameron of PFF wrote.
“Frazier’s all-around grading profile is solid, as he places above the 75th percentile as both a pass protector and a run blocker.”
Perhaps Frazier needs another year to crack the top 10 list for interior offensive lineman, but it is surprising that he wasn’t named honorable mention.
It’s not the first time that Frazier has been snubbed, as was passed on as a Pro Bowl replacement for Humphrey last year. Buffalo Bills center Connor McGovern was selected instead, joining Linderbaum.
Frazier, the Steelers’ second-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, gave up just one sack and 12 pressures while starting 15 games for the Steelers last season, per Pro Football Focus. His 98.8 pass protection efficiency was second only to Humphrey among centers with at least 1,000 snaps this season.
Frazier was named to the 2024 PFWA All-Rookie Team, the Pro Football Writers Association announced in January.
The Fairmont, West Virginia faced competition from Tampa Bay Buccaneers center Graham Barton, Dallas Cowboys center Cooper Beebe and Los Angeles Rams center Beaux Limmer.
Frazier gave credit to both Keeanu Benton and Montravius Adams for helping him during his rookie season.
“I would say just going against Keeanu, Montrevis, I remember going through camp asking questions, you know, maybe they got me on a play. Especially Mon, he helped me out a lot. He’s an older guy, but he would work with me after practice sometimes, kind of show me what he did and that kind of helped me grow as a player,” Frazier said during an interview with Missi Matthews of Steelers.com in February.
Frazier also touched on becoming a leader going into Year 2 and beyond.
“I would say that would be the next step,” Frazier said. “You know, I feel like when you come in, you kind of have to establish yourself as a...
