The Pittsburgh Steelers offensive line has been the most pleasant surprise of the season so far. Pittsburgh has one of the best rushing attacks in the entire league through nine weeks, averaging 117.9 yards per game. Pittsburgh’s offensive line is finally turning the corner and emerging as a serious strength of the team, and it all starts with their center, Zach Frazier.
ESPN’s Bill Barnwell put together his midseason All-Pro team, with the Steelers center earning first-team honors. Frazier’s 79.5
overall PFF grade is first among centers this season. The center has posted his best grades as a run and pass blocker of his career this season.
As well as being named to Barnwell’s midseason All-Pro team, Frazier was also named a top contender for the Protector of the Year award.
“With Creed Humphrey’s problems snapping the football becoming more conspicuous, Frazier has emerged for me as the best center in football,” Barnwell said. “The Steelers have quietly fielded one of the league’s most efficient run games this season, and so much of that is what Frazier is able to do as the pivot. Watch here, as he reaches and manhandles Browns linebacker Carson Schwesinger to spring Jaylen Warren for a 24-yard gain. Frazier has also given up only one sack and four quick pressures all season, per NFL Next Gen Stats.”
There is no denying that Frazier is putting together the best season of his career. The 51st overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft is due for an extension this summer that will almost certainly make him one of, if not the highest-paid center in the league. Frazier will continue to be one of the Steelers’ key building blocks for years to come, and he’s finally getting the attention he deserves.
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