Zach Frazier Already Standing Out with Leadership

Pittsburgh Steelers’ second-round selection Zach Frazier dons No. 54. That number, to Frazier, has the significance of leadership. He wears the number because of former Miami Dolphins linebacker Zach Thomas. Growing up, he learned he was named after Thomas and decided to follow his lineage by wearing his number. The Pro Football Hall of Famer was known as a hard-hitting menace on the field, but perhaps his best trait is his leadership.

And Frazier has an advantage over most of the rookies, who traveled to Pittsburgh from all over the country for the three-day camp. His home is just 90 miles or so down Interstate 79 in Fairmont, West Virginia. So when he drove in, he gave fellow offensive line rookies Troy Fautanu and Mason McCormick a ride to work.

Center is naturally a leadership position along the offensive line, but for now, Frazier will likely keep it to small gestures like a ride before he tries on a full leadership role.

“I think it’s my job to take care of myself first and make sure all my ducks are in a row before I try to start leading others,” Frazier said.

Zach Frazier is expected to be a plug-and-play Day 1 starter on the Steelers offensive line. He should be the team’s starting center, and though he has to focus on the basics first, make no mistake, Frazier has to step up into some leadership role given the position. And with a strong tradition of centers in Pittsburgh, like Dermotti Dawson, Mike Webster, Maurkice Pouncey, and others, he knows he has much to live up to in the Steelers uniform.

“It’s a little bit of extra pressure on me, but I’m just going to work as hard as I can,” Frazier said. “Try to put my head down and just work.”

Frazier plays with a polished style that makes him a plug-and-play option. While not an elite athlete, he is solid across the board and can work in Arthur Smith’s wide zone scheme. In addition, he allows the team to have far more versatility in the run game process, continuing the gap scheme progress a year ago under interim offensive coordinator Eddie Faulkner. Given Faulkner and offensive line coach Pat Meyer are back, there might be a move toward making this scheme more versatile rather than sticking to the mid and wide zone that Smith has been accustomed to in his fabric.