The Pittsburgh Steelers spent the offseason adding more help around Aaron Rodgers, but the player drawing the sharpest breakout buzz isn’t a new face at all. It’s center Zach Frazier, a lineman who has quietly become one of the most important pieces on the roster.
Pittsburgh brought in receivers Michael Pittman and Germie Bernard to join DK Metcalf in the passing game, and the team also drafted offensive tackle Max Iheanachor. But with Rodgers returning for what the source describes as his final NFL season, the real pressure point remains up front. That’s where Frazier comes in.
ESPN’s Ben Solak named Frazier as the Steelers’ breakout candidate when he went through all 32 teams, and he didn’t hold back on the center’s upside.
"Frazier unlocks the full menu of run concepts for Pittsburgh -- per ESPN's numbers, the Steelers ran the common run concepts (outside zone, inside zone, duo, power, etc.) at league-average rates. His experience snapping the ball to Aaron Rodgers is certainly helping the mental side of his game as well. Of all the players on this list, Frazier would be my bet to eventually become the best player at his position in the NFL."
That kind of praise lines up with what Frazier has already shown. He’s heading into his third NFL season, and the trajectory keeps pointing up. Over the last two years, he has been Pittsburgh’s highest-graded offensive lineman, according to Pro Football Focus.
Solak also highlighted a telling number from NFL Next Gen Stats: Frazier posted a 2.7 percent QB pressure rate, the best mark for any offensive lineman with 300-plus snaps.
That matters because Frazier isn’t just steady in pass protection. He brings real movement in the run game, too. His foot speed and strength let him displace defenders and give the Steelers more options when they want to lean on the ground attack.
And there’s another reason his value stands out: he’s still on his rookie deal, with two years left. For a team trying to maximize Rodgers’ final season, having a center this dependable in both phases is a major advantage.
Frazier may not be the flashy name in Pittsburgh’s offense, but his impact should be felt every time the ball is snapped. If his progression keeps going the way it has, he has a real chance to establish himself as one of the best centers in the NFL.
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