With Nate Herbig down with a torn rotator cuff, WVU alum Zach Frazier was thrust into the starting lineup in Saturday’s preseason game, and as the dust settles, Pro Football Focus is giving the Steelers rookie his flowers.
In a team-high 83 total snaps, Frazier shined at center, earning praise from quarterback Russell Wilson as well as the public, who will be seeing plenty of Frazier as he begins his rookie season as the starter.
Frazier earned a remarkable 82.3 pass-blocking grade from PFF in Pittsburgh’s week two preseason game against Buffalo. He did not score as highly in run-blocking, where his grade came in at 45.7, but with zero pressures allowed in 24 snaps, the former Mountaineer definitely made up for it.
Pittsburgh, which sports both Frazier and fellow rookie and WVU alum Beanie Bishop Jr. in its projected starting lineup, will play its final preseason game on Saturday against Detroit. Bishop Jr. did not suit up against Buffalo due to what head coach Mike Tomlin called a “small problem,” but is expected to play in the third preseason week.
Photo by Aaron Parker, Blue Gold Sports
