The Pittsburgh Steelers entered the 2024 NFL Draft with one mission: fortify the offensive line and build a foundation that could support both their young quarterback and the franchise’s long-term vision. With their second-round pick, they did just that by selecting West Virginia center Zack Frazier—an anchor in every sense of the word. The pick wasn’t just strategic; it was symbolic of a cultural shift toward toughness, discipline, and long-term sustainability in the trenches.
Frazier, a four-year starter at WVU and a multi-time All-Big 12 selection, was regarded as one of the top interior linemen in the draft. His resume speaks for itself: 46 career starts, multiple team captain honors, and a reputation for outworking and outmuscling anyone who lined up across from him. But for the Steelers, Frazier’s appeal went beyond his resume. He embodies the grit, work ethic, and blue-collar identity that Pittsburgh has long cherished.
In a draft loaded with flashy skill-position players, Pittsburgh’s choice to invest in the offensive line was both pragmatic and forward-looking. The team has struggled in recent years to consistently protect the quarterback and establish a dominant run game. By drafting Frazier, they’re signaling a return to the brand of football that brought them six Super Bowl titles—controlling the line of scrimmage.
Steelers GM Omar Khan praised Frazier’s versatility and leadership, calling him “a cornerstone piece we can build around for years to come.” The sentiment is echoed by head coach Mike Tomlin, who emphasized Frazier’s football IQ and relentless motor as key reasons the team zeroed in on him. “We’re not just getting a center,” Tomlin said. “We’re getting a leader, a communicator, and someone who plays with an edge.”
The pick also addresses a pressing need. With Mason Cole departing in free agency and a lack of depth at center, Frazier steps in as an immediate starter. His transition to the NFL is expected to be relatively smooth, thanks to his high-level experience and technical polish. In college, he was known for his strong hand placement, quick first step, and ability to diagnose blitzes—traits that should serve him well in a division stacked with elite defensive fronts.
Beyond his on-field attributes, Frazier’s background in wrestling—he was a state champion in high school—speaks volumes about his balance, leverage, and competitive nature. Wrestlers often make excellent linemen due to their hand-fighting skills and ability to win leverage battles, and Frazier is no exception.
As the Steelers continue to build around young quarterback Kenny Pickett and emerging playmakers like George Pickens and Najee Harris, bolstering the offensive line was a non-negotiable. In Zack Frazier, they’ve found not just a solution, but a centerpiece—a player who can stabilize the present and anchor the future.
For Pittsburgh fans hungry to see their team return to its physical, punishing roots, the message is clear: the rebuild starts in the trenches, and Zack Frazier is the man leading the charge.
