The Pittsburgh Steelers got to taste and see an impressive first year from 2024 second-round pick Zach Frazier. The future is bright for the former West Virginia product, and Pro Bowl aspirations aren't out of reach. Now, his climb to the top of the list of the NFL's best centers just got a bit easier after a shocking retirement announcement.
On Monday, long-time Detroit Lions center Frank Ragnow surprisingly announced his retirement from the National Football League. Ragnow was the anchor in the middle of arguably the NFL's most impressive offensive line over the past few seasons and should have been entering the prime of his career.
Ragnow, a four-time Pro Bowler and three-time Second-Team All-Pro offensive lineman, was just 28 years old during the 2024 season and recently turned 29 in May. Despite playing the best football of his career since 2023, Ragnow is hanging up his cleats for good due to his health. The Lions' center has a lengthy injury history that includes knee, back, calf, and groin ailments.
This is extremely unfortunate for the Detroit Lions. Theoretically, Ragnow should have had some of his best years still left in the tank, as good offensive lineman can play well into their 30s.
But the Lions' misfortune is an opportunity for Zach Frazier to emerge as one of the top centers—if not the top center—in the league this year.
Pittsburgh Steelers' Zach Frazier just moved up on the top NFL centers list with Frank Ragnow's retirement
On 1,129 snaps in 2024, Ragnow ranked second among all NFL centers with an 86.1 overall grade, per Pro Football Focus. In 2023, the former Lions center was first in the league with an 88.8 overall grade. Ragnow was considered one of the best centers in the game, and following his retirement, Zach Frazier moves up the list by default.
As a rookie in 2024, Fraizer earned an impressive 77.9 overall grade. While this was a tier lower than Ragnow's grade, it was still good for fifth among all NFL centers. And if Frazier was able to do that as a 23-year-old, there's hope that he could be even better in his second season.
Perennial All-Pro Creed Humphrey of the Kansas City Chiefs is still the biggest threat to be labeled as the league's top center, but after him, the list is wide open. Frazier was comparably good stacked up against players like Tyler Linderbaum or Drew Dalman.
While the Pittsburgh Steelers won't be receiving any rewards for having impressive play at the center position, Zach Frazier could prove to be the anchor of this line for years to come and help his offensive line take the next step, much like Frank Ragnow did for the Detroit Lions.