Former Steelers Offensive Lineman Ramon Foster Sees One Potential Flaw That Could Hurt Zach Frazier Early In His Career

There's plenty to love about the Pittsburgh Steelers’ selection of University of West Virginia center Zach Frazier with the 51st overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. The Fairmont, WV native fills an immediate need the team had in the middle of the offensive line after the release of Mason Cole. The former state wrestling champion in high school, who drew comparisons to Hall of Fame center Mike Webster, looked destined to land in Pittsburgh. Former long-time offensive lineman, Ramon Foster is also a fan of the pick, but cautioned that Frazier could struggle with one aspect of play early in his career. 

During a recent episode of The Ramon Foster Show, the 11-year NFL veteran said he has concerns about Frazier's physicality getting him into trouble. While Foster loves the intensity that he plays with, he's worried about referees penalizing him for it. 

"His only drawback as far as Zach Frazier goes is he does like to use his grappling from time to time. Not in the holding sense. But in the NFL, he likes to grab and throw dudes to the ground. He can do that once he builds up his reputation in the NFL. Those kinds of things get somewhat called in games."

Foster added that even though it might not actually be holding when NFL referees see a defensive player get pushed around, they pull out the flag. He said once he has a solidified role in the NFL, he could start to unleash the physicality that helped make him an attractive choice for the team. 

Head Coach Mike Tomlin is known for his many whimsical sayings. One of which is "I'd rather say ‘woah’ than ‘sic ‘em.’" In Frazier, it's pretty clear that the organization has a guy that fits that mold. While his physicality is certainly viewed as a positive, the team might need him to temper it to avoid losing yards to penalties. 

Steelers Got "Everything You Needed" With Frazier Pick

Despite his concerns that Frazier could be an early target of flags from referees, Foster thinks the team hit a home run by landing Frazier in the second round. He sees a lot of qualities in the former Mountaineers star that make him the perfect fit for the organization. 

While Pittsburgh was rumored to have a strong interest in Duke University tackle Graham Barton, who many expect to be a center in the NFL, Foster said it's valuable for the team to have picked up someone with a wealth of experience playing the position. Barton was a center for all of six games in his first year with the Blue Devils, before they moved him to left tackle. Frazier had 37 straight starts at center at West Virginia.

"The Zach Frazier pick was everything that you needed," Foster said. "You feel very comfortable with the Zach Frazier pick because he’s a position-specific player. He could potentially be a day-one starter."

The other aspect that Foster praised multiple times was how Frazier pretty much already understands what it means to be a Steeler. Frazier even had a sneaking suspicion he was going to land with the team. Foster mentioned the now often-referenced story that Frazier's last Steelers game as an attendee was Ben Roethlisberger's final home game at then-Heinz Field in January of 2022.

"I like the idea of him being a guy that gets what it means to play in Pittsburgh," Foster continued. "There's a lot of familiarity with it. 'This guy gets us.' He understands what it takes."

Frazier will have an adjustment period, just like all rookies moving from college to the pro level. A big part of that for him will be understanding how much physicality is too much. Foster added that he hopes the injury rehab from a broken leg suffered in his final college game won't hold him back at all. Frazier said that he is ready for when his number gets called.