Steelers fill biggest need with another steal in second round of NFL Draft

The Steelers landed one of the biggest steals in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft, selecting Washington offensive tackle Troy Fautanu with pick No. 20.

Pittsburgh followed that up with yet another steal in the second round by drafting West Virginia center Zach Frazier with pick No. 51.

Frazier ranked as NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah's No. 37 overall prospect on his top 150 players list.

The West Virginia product fills the Steelers' biggest need, having not added a center since releasing 2023 starter Mason Cole earlier this offseason. 

Frazier has a 2.27 percent pressure percentage allowed since 2021, per Pro Football Focus, and should be a plug-and-play starter for the team, which is exactly what it has been searching for.

Earlier this offseason, head coach Mike Tomlin said "After a couple centers in the draft, it will likely not be plug and play," according to The Athletic's Mark Kaboly.

The West Virginia product is also regarded as the "single toughest player in this draft," according to NFL Network's Peter Schrager.

Why?

In the final game of last season, Frazier broke his leg and hopped off the field because the game was on the line and the Mountaineers were out of timeouts.