West Virginia center Zach Frazier is in contention to be an early-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Frazier carries plug-and-play starting potential as a blocker who displays terrific strength and leverage. Frazier easily displaces defenders in the run game.
Frazier suffered a serious leg injury in the regular-season finale against Baylor. The Mountaineers standout miraculously recovered to partake in the bench press and positional drills at the NFL Combine. Frazier plans to be 100% before OTAs.
Frazier will immediately improve an NFL offensive line. The Fairmont native could hear his name called within the opening 32 selections. We've identified three ideal team fits for Frazier.
DALLAS COWBOYS
The Cowboys are almost certainly going to draft an offensive lineman in the first round with the 24th pick. They've lost two starting-caliber players to free agency. Starting center Tyler Biadasz signed with their NFC East rival Washington Commanders and left tackle Tyron Smith joined Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets.
I expect the Cowboys to prioritize a tackle, but I wouldn't be stunned if they possess a top-32 grade on Frazier. The inexperienced Brock Hoffman is currently penciled into the starting center role. Hoffman delivered lackluster results through 156 snaps at the position last season. I can also see the Cowboys doubling down by drafting another offensive lineman at 56 overall. If Frazier remains available, the Jones family would sprint to the podium, assuming they don’t pick him at 24.
PITTSBURGH STEELERS
The Steelers have made sweeping changes to the offense this summer. They added Russell Wilson at quarterback and parted ways with Kenny Pickett, Mason Rudolph, and wide receiver Diontae Johnson. They also cut former starting tackle Chukwuma Okorafor. With Arthur Smith hired as offensive coordinator, general manager Omar Khan needs to add a center that's capable of overseeing the new install. Frazier is that kind of player.
Last year's starting center was Mason Cole, who struggled mightily as a run blocker. Cole is still an unrestricted free agent and isn't being welcomed back to Pittsburgh. That means utility interior lineman Nate Herbig is slated to play center. The Steelers can do better than Herbig, who’s a more natural fit at guard. Picking Frazier at 20 or 51 would solve that problem.
ARIZONA CARDINALS
Cardinals general manager Monti Ossenfort is entering the 2024 NFL Draft with a wealth of resources at his disposal. Ossenfort owns 11 total selections, seven of which are scheduled within the opening 104 picks. He possesses an outstanding opportunity to retool the offense.
Ossenfort's efforts should begin with drafting Marvin Harrison Jr. or Malik Nabers in the top 10. Franchise quarterback Kyler Murray deserves more support across the entire offense. Hjalte Froholdt is a league-average starting center who’s entering a contract year. Look for the trade-happy Ossenfort to use his draft capital to move around the board as he sees fit. No. 27 or 35 should be reserved for a starting-caliber center a la Frazier. The rebuilding Cardinals are on the rise.
