Who were the top three NFL rookie offensive linemen in Week 2? Let's dive in and analyze.
Zach Frazier
Zach Frazier looks like he’s set to be the Pittsburgh Steelers' center for the next decade. The former West Virginia Mountaineer already plays like a seasoned pro just two games into his NFL career.
Facing a Denver Broncos defense that used a variety of exotic fronts and pressures, Frazier remained consistent and composed in pass protection, providing Justin Fields with a clean and comfortable pocket.
What stood out most was Frazier’s ability to anchor down and maintain structural integrity against a formidable group of defensive linemen, who repeatedly tested his ability to handle the bull rush. In the run game, Frazier occasionally struggled against cross-facing nose tackles, but he excelled in protecting the running back’s path and working to the second level. Frazier imposed his will in the run game with his impressive functional strength and was nearly perfect in his combination blocks at the first level.
The same finishing mentality that made us fall in love with Frazier in his draft process is what makes him such an impressive rookie center. Expect Frazier to finish the season as one of the best young centers in the league.
Taliese Fuaga
Taliese Fuaga demonstrated exactly why he became one of the fastest risers in the 2024 NFL Draft class. The qualities that evaluators admired were on full display in his game against the Dallas Cowboys. His combination of physicality and movement skills helped propel the New Orleans Saints to an explosive offensive performance, despite facing one of the NFL's top defensive fronts.
Fuaga excelled in the running game, consistently handling his responsibilities at both the first and second levels. He even showed flashes reminiscent of Terron Armstead, particularly on power tosses where he was assigned as the lead blocker on multiple plays. Fuaga held his own against the likes of Micah Parsons, Marshawn Kneeland, and DeMarcus Lawrence. Though Parsons managed to beat him twice in pass protection, Fuaga otherwise allowed no pressures and kept Alvin Kamara clean all game.
Fuaga is poised to be the next great Saints offensive lineman and already looks like a perennial Pro Bowler. His traits have flawlessly transitioned into his play at the professional level and have added a new dynamic to the Saints' offense.
Layden Robinson
Talent met talent this week as Layden Robinson went head-to-head with fellow rookie Byron Murphy II in Sunday’s matchup between the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks. Although Murphy II came out on top, Robinson displayed aspects of his game that inspire a lot of optimism for the former third-round pick's future.
Robinson looked phenomenal in pass protection for several stretches during the game. While still adjusting to the speed of the NFL, he showcased fantastic patience and length, consistently meeting defenders with his hands and fighting for separation and extension. Robinson maintained a square stance and demonstrated excellent footwork to match his strikes, effectively incorporating trap techniques to neutralize opponents as well.
However, Robinson will need to improve his run blocking; at times, he appeared a step slow and exhibited some inexperience against stronger linemen, particularly in maintaining proper pad level. Nonetheless, I expect these growing pains to diminish as the season progresses and he gains more snaps.
Robinson looks poised to become a franchise lineman down the road. It will be exciting to watch his development throughout the season.
