Mountaineers in the Pros
Zach Frazier Argues as Best Center in NFL Based on Metrics
Only three years into his NFL career, Zach Frazier is already arguing as being the best center in football.
Because through eight games and with the Steelers on a bye week, Frazier leads or is near the top of all NFL centers by every metric that’s used to grade the position by Pro Football Focus.
He’s above his peers in overall grade (80.8), second in run-blocking (79.8) and fourth in pass-blocking (76.3) for a minimum of 400 snaps.
In fact, Frazier is the only center to record grades of 75.0 or higher in each category.
ESPN analyst Mina Kimes praised Frazier while discussing the Steelers as a contender on Tuesday. “Every play is a Zach Frazier highlight. Best run blocking center in football right now,” she said.
Pittsburgh head coach Mike McCarthy expressed how impressed he’s been with Frazier last week.
“Very diligent in his preparation. Very serious. Really good communicator. Asks all the right questions. His practice ethic is top notch,” said McCarthy while describing what coaching Frazier has been like.
“He’s as unique of a center as I’ve ever coached,” added McCarthy for one final stamp of approval.
Below is what Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers once shared about what he thinks of Frazier during training camp:
“I don’t think there’s a better center in the league. I watched it every single week,” said Rodgers about Frazier. “(No.) 54 is as consistent as they come in the league. He’s got a bright future. He is a phenomenal player. He’s got a real steady way about him — to go the whole season and not have any snap issues. And really not to have to do a whole lot back there protection wise when I’ve done that most of my career. He’s an exceptional player. He’s got a really bright future in the league. If the team was smart, they’d slap a deal on him pretty quickly because he’s going to be 10+ years in the league and one of the best to do it, in my opinion. That’s his trajectory. Zach is a special player, and I’m thankful to play with him.”
Selected by the Steelers in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft after playing at WVU from 2020-23, Frazier has already logged well over 2,000 professional snaps. And he’s totaled 474 through seven games so far in 2026. Frazier has only been penalized once this season and four times in his NFL career to this point.
Find more coverage of Zach Frazier at WV Sports Now.
