Preseason Grades Show Zach Frazier Remains Perfect in One Particular Category

Zach Frazier is now officially at the top of the depth chart, but how did he actually perform in his first NFL start for the Steeles on Saturday night?

PFF says Frazier allowed zero pressures in 24 pass block snaps, which would give him a grade of 82.3. They also award Frazier a grade of 80.7 overall from his two preseason appearances. He hasn’t allowed a pressure in 42 pass blocking snaps either.

Steelers Rookie C Zach Frazier in Preseason Week 2:

🟡 24 Pass Block Snaps
🟡 Zero Pressures Allowed
🟡 82.3 Pass Block Grade@WVUfootball pic.twitter.com/q0tQggezqT

— PFF College (@PFF_College) August 20, 2024

Even while expressing his disappointment with his team’s overall play, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin did take a moment to praise Frazier after the game.

After Pittsburgh’s 9-3 loss to the Buffalo Bills in their second preseason game, Tomlin said he was “largely satisfied” with Frazier from his time at center. He then added that he will elaborate more after watching the film.

Frazier got the start due to an injury to Nate Herbig that has since landed him on injured reserve.

Steelers HC Mike Tomlin ‘Largely Satisfied’ with Zach Frazier in First NFL Start

Veteran quarterback Russell Wilson, who worked with Frazier for the first time during the Steelers’ preseason loss to the Buffalo Bills, shared his thoughts on what he’s experienced from the WVU product so far.

“He’s tough. I think that he’s such a hard worker, and that’s rare to find as a rookie, guys that have such professionalism and have an elite level of focus,” said Wilson to reporters postgame.

“He has an elite level of focus. And he did a great job tonight. He made a lot of great calls and just communication between me and him tonight. Obviously, with Big Nate (Herbig) out, he’s gotta step up.”

Wilson even went as far as to offer advice to Frazier moving forward.

“And I think the best thing that he can do is keep learning every day, knowing that there’s gonna be highs and lows,” Wilson said. “There’s gonna be bumps in the road. He went against a really good front tonight — they do a good job. And I thought he handled it well. I thought he was composed. He didn’t blink.”

Recently, WVU head coach Neal Brown made it a point to express his gratitude to Frazier as an all-time great Mountaineer. Brown mentioned Frazier as a big reason for the change in culture around the West Virginia program.

“He’ll be the Steelers center of the future. He really changed our program just on how he worked,” Brown said about Frazier.

And for Frazier, a chance to join the long lineage of great offensive lineman is a dream scenario.

Up next for Frazier and the Steelers is a final preseason test in Detroit on Aug. 24. Kickoff between Pittsburgh and the Lions is set for 1 p.m. ET. The game will air nationally on NFL Network and locally on KDKA-TV.

For a related story, Beanie Bishop discusses the source of his motivation to be great with Steelers.