NFL analysts impressed with 2 Steelers rookies after preseason debuts

Mike Moraitis

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NFL analysts impressed with 2 Steelers rookies after preseason debuts image

The Pittsburgh Steelers might have lost their preseason opener to the Houston Texans on Friday night, but they also saw promising performances from two of their rookies in center Zach Frazier and linebacker Payton Wilson.

Wilson has been impressive all offseason long and picked up where he left off in preseason Week 1, coming out with his hair on fire. Wilson notched his first tackle on the Steelers' first punt, and had three of the team's first four tackles overall.

When it was all said and done, Wilson finished with a team-high seven tackles, one of which went for a loss. Off that, NFL Network's Brian Baldinger gave the NC State product the "Baldy's Breakdown" treatment on Saturday morning and recognized the young linebacker for his solid showing.

The other rookie who stood out in particular in the preseason opener was center Zach Frazier, who had a slow start to camp but came on strong in the last week or so. He was inserted into the game on the third drive and quickly started moving people around. 

NFL analyst Brandon Thorn noted that he saw a lot of the things from Frazier's college tape show up on the field on Friday — and he's right.

While Wilson is still likely to start the season as a backup behind Patrick Queen and Elandon Roberts, the rookie is showing he's very much capable of handling a role early on and could be the first man off the bench at the position.

Meanwhile, Frazier is still in line for a starting job against Nate Herbig, who had his issues with bad exchanges with Justin Fields. If the West Virginia product can continue playing the way he did on Friday night, he might be the starter come Week 1.

Mike Moraitis

Mike Moraitis Photo

After cutting his teeth with Bleacher Report, Mike Moraitis has covered the Los Angeles Rams and Tennessee Titans for FanSided, and the Titans and New York Giants for USA TODAY Sports Media Group. On top of his duties with Sporting News, Mike is the managing editor and lead writer for Titans Wire.