Analyst believes Steelers rookie is 'top-10' at his position

There seems to be a consensus around the league that the Steelers had yet another strong draft under general manager Omar Khan.

While many believe Pittsburgh landed multiple starters, The Athletic's Brandon Thorn took it one step further, claiming second-round pick Zach Frazier is already a top-10 player at his position.

"Maybe like a top-10, top-12 center as a rookie," Thorn said on "The Athletic Football Show" podcast. "That wouldn't surprise me at all. He's an older prospect; he's played a lot of football. I think he's ready to go right away."

Frazier, who will turn 23 in August, does have a ton of collegiate snaps under his belt, but naming him a top-10 player at his position before taking his first NFL snap could be a bit presumptuous.

However, that was one of the many reasons why the Steelers were attracted to Frazier during the draft process.

The West Virginia product was also regarded as the " single toughest player in this draft " because in the final game of last season, he broke his leg and hopped off the field with the game on the line and the Mountaineers out of timeouts.

Pittsburgh also had a clear need at center after releasing 2023 starter Mason Cole earlier this offseason.

The team claimed it was comfortable with its in-house option in Nate Herbig, but it couldn't pass on the opportunity to add Frazier in the second round when some had him graded as a first-round talent.

Thorn thinks Frazier will live up to those expectations and then some, comparing him to Patriots two-time Super Bowl champion David Andrews.

"Frazier, I see like a David Andrews sort of center," Thorn added. "A guy you could stick in there for a long time, he's gonna be a big benefit to whatever quarterback you have in there, and he's just gonna do everything pretty well."

If that's the case, the Steelers will be ecstatic with their choice, but Frazier must first beat out Herbig for the starting job in training camp later this month.