The Pittsburgh Steelers stayed true to their strategy of fortifying their offensive line by selecting West Virginia center Zach Frazier with the 51st overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Frazier's rising stock had caught the attention of many, leading some to speculate that the Steelers had their eye on him. Despite the earlier selection of Troy Fautanu in the first round, Frazier was still available at 51, providing the Steelers with a much-needed addition to their roster at center.
In the realm of scouting prospects, stories often emerge that shed light on an athlete's character, both commendable and questionable. One such defining moment in Frazier's tenure at WVU occurred during the Mountaineers' final game of the season. Facing adversity on the road against Baylor, the team struggled throughout the game but found themselves with an opportunity to mount a winning drive.
It was during this critical juncture that Frazier, while out in front blocking, sustained a leg injury. Acting instinctively, Frazier demonstrated remarkable determination as he bear-crawled and fought through the pain to swiftly exit the field. His quick action prevented a clock runoff due to injury, ultimately preserving the Mountaineers' chances of securing victory.
Following the selection of Frazier, Steelers' new offensive coordinator, Arthur Smith, addressed members of the media. When questioned about the pivotal play where Frazier selflessly prioritized the team's success, Smith offered insights into the significance of Frazier's heroism and team-first mentality.
“That’s who he is and that’s what his resume is. That wasn’t just a dramatic shot for the camera. I mean that’s his history and his body of work. One of the tougher guys I’ve seen on the field… Real toughness to him.”
Those words from Smith are telling. He's seen some very tough dudes in his career of coaching so his words carry weight. Frazier explained the sensation of the injury and shared insights into his mindset during that pivotal moment on the field in Waco.
“I started screaming. I knew I wasn’t going to be able to run another play. I knew I had to get off the field. It’s still a two minute situation. You don’t want that 10 second runoff. I just kind of rolled over and didn’t want to put any weight on that leg because it wasn’t feeling great. I was like screaming and like bear crawling off the field. The ref was yelling at me to get down so then I kind of hurried up and got up.”
The Mountaineers secured the victory with a mere :23 seconds remaining on the clock. Despite the intensity of the moment and the potential setback of an injury, Frazier's sole focus remained on clinching the win, prioritizing team success over personal discomfort.
Steelers Investing Big In Their Offensive Line
The Steelers have made significant strides in fortifying their offensive line, beginning with their bold move in 2023 to trade up and select Broderick Jones.
Now, with consecutive picks, they've further bolstered their line by acquiring a tackle and a center. Notably, both players were ranked higher than where the Steelers were picking, indicating excellent value for the team and addressing two crucial needs in one fell swoop.
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