The first step off the snap of the ball is one of the most important components to a dangerous defensive lineman. It allows for the player to gain ground as quickly as the opposing offensive lineman moves to get into their position.
For defensive tackle Joshua Frazier, this was not a highlighted part of his game; a fact that led to him being drafted in the seventh round by the Steelers despite playing for Alabama, a program distinguished for its dominant front seven players.
We go to Frazier's college tape to highlight the strengths and weaknesses to the Steelers final selection of the 2018 NFL draft:
Frazier's size was what made him a sturdy defensive tackle for Alabama, albeit one that didn't see a ton of playing time. Standing at 6-foot-3, 321 lbs., Frazier had the size to bully most offensive linemen in the NCAA and got to go up against the nation's strongest conference for linemen — the SEC.
But Frazier never matured despite being a top-100 recruit coming out of high school, and his lack of fundamentals allowed him to be surpassed by the rest of Alabama's talented defensive tackles.
Still, Frazier's natural talents could be seen on film when opposing linemen didn't try to blow him off the ball. Watch how he ends up scraping down the line on this play to help make the tackle against Ole Miss. Frazier gets off the ball and gets high in his stance to the point that the pulling offensive tackle can get under his pads. But when Frazier isn't crushed by this double team, he's able to keep his position and help bring down the running back:
That's the best of Frazier's merits; even though he didn't make a ton of plays, his size often made him absorb blocks rather than let him get pushed back several yards.
The problem is that in the NFL, his size won't prevent him from being put on roller skates — the term reserved for defensive linemen that get shoved so far back they can't stand any of their ground. It often occurs to linemen that can't win the leverage battle by being the lower lineman and not driving through with their feet.
Watch how Frazier (#69) gets off the ball for this pass rush, he's immediately stood up and unable to collapse the pocket at all with his leg drive:
To his credit on that play, Frazier does occupy the center enough for Alabama's blitz to work around him. This is where his ability to absorb opponents really comes into play. His size calls for offenses to try and double team him, which diverts attention away from his teammates.
But, too often, Frazier would get stood up by offensive linemen and hope the play was around him. Here's another play against Ole Miss when he ended up winning the battle simply because he was able to push his opponent enough with his arms and then contribute on the tackle. But watch his feet after he makes contact at the line and notice how they aren't chopping or moving at all, he's just fighting through it with his hands:
If Frazier can apply a first step burst in his game and drive through opponents more consistently, he would be a greater threat. Without it, most of his battles will have to be won relying on his brute strength. This made him a mediocre lineman in the SEC, but did yield highlights here and there.
It won't be that easy in the NFL.
Take this playoff game against Washington, for example, when a miscommunication between Washington's offensive line resulted in them triple-teaming Frazier at the line and opening up the door for the rest of Alabama's rush to chase down the quarterback. Frazier powered on through and used his strength to keep pushing and eventually bring down the quarterback for a sack:
This was one of two sacks in Frazier's NCAA career, the other coming in his very first game against Western Carolina. If anything, this should show you what happens when you don't have a strong first step off the ball and rely on overpowering players once you're up out of your stance.
Frazier's main role for Alabama in his later seasons was to be cannon fodder that took on guards and centers in order to free up linebackers so they could dissect what was going on and make plays. That's basically what Daniel McCullers' lone trait is, and that's not a route to NFL success.
Frazier should feel comfortable reuniting with new Steelers' defensive line coach Karl Dunbar, Alabama's former defensive line coach. Can Dunbar bring out more consistent fundamentals from Frazier? Or will he be just another seventh-round draft pick that struggles to stay on the roster?
Keep an eye on how he looks in camp during drills and when the pads come on for one-on-one hitting. I suspect he'll be battling with McCullers for the final defensive tackle position.