(Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
The Pittsburgh Steelers have an intriguing mix of established veterans and young prospects with upside, and they’re hoping to enter the race for this season’s Vince Lombardi Trophy.
But one thing they’ll need to improve in order to enter that race is their offensive line, which was ranked just 22nd in the NFL in a recent article by Pro Football Network.
Pittsburgh is hoping that rookie Zach Frazier, their second-round draft pick in April, will help improve that offensive line, especially since he has been named their starting center.
Per Chris Adamski, head coach Mike Tomlin praised Frazier and said the West Virginia native “has been as advertised.”
Steelers coach Mike Tomlin on rookie 2nd-rd pick Zach Frazier, now the starting center:
“He has been as advertised.” pic.twitter.com/QdPGfItB1P
— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) August 20, 2024
While at West Virginia University, Frazier was named to the All-Big 12 first team in 2023, and he was a consistent starter in each season there other than his freshman season.
It would greatly help 35-year-old quarterback Russell Wilson, as well as QB Justin Fields, if Frazier is able to hold down the center spot on a consistent basis and deter pass rushers from the interior of opposing defensive lines.
The Steelers have also been hoping offensive tackle Broderick Jones, who was a first-round pick last year, would help patch up their pass and run protection.
But he has been dealing with an elbow injury, and after an awful performance this weekend in a preseason game against the Buffalo Bills, he said he’s about as healthy as he’s going to get.
The team will begin the regular season on Sept. 8 with a road contest against the new and improved Atlanta Falcons.
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