Steelers select Mason McCormick, OG, South Dakota State #119 overall

[BlackAndGold]

3rd o-line drafted.

[EzraTank]

Don't know much about the guy, but heard he plays like a Jackrabbit.

[DesertSteel]

This is the part of the draft where you have to trust that they’re finding gems that no one’s heard of.

[polamalubeast]

[pczach]

This is the part of the draft where you have to trust that they’re finding gems that no one’s heard of.

There are still a lot of players from top colleges that people recognize, but there are more small-school players that most haven't. If you really dive into the draft you know these players. The fourth round still has many players that are thought of highly. Some won't get the rating they would if they played at a bigger school and were proven against better talent. Some have dropped because of injury or off the field issues. Many have talent but haven't put it together yet.

Each later round, the talent is a little more pedestrian and there are more players that don't have the measurables that teams covet, but that doesn't mean they can't play football at a high level.

There are still a lot of really good football players available. Now it's a matter of identifying them and drafting them.

After that, it's all about developing what you drafted and getting the most out of them.

[tube517]

O line bench getting stacked.

Pat Meyer a happy man.

Sent from my Pixel 6 using Tapatalk

[DesertSteel]

There are still a lot of players from top colleges that people recognize, but there are more small-school players that most haven't. If you really dive into the draft you know these players. The fourth round still has many players that are thought of highly. Some won't get the rating they would if they played at a bigger school and were proven against better talent. Some have dropped because of injury or off the field issues. Many have talent but haven't put it together yet.

Each later round, the talent is a little more pedestrian and there are more players that don't have the measurables that teams covet, but that doesn't mean they can't play football at a high level.

There are still a lot of really good football players available. Now it's a matter of identifying them and drafting them.

After that, it's all about developing what you drafted and getting the most out of them.

Right. My point is that a lot of no name guys are going to get picked ahead of those well known names thanks to the due diligence of the scouting department.

[tube517]

Daniels is a free agent in 2025.

Playing the long game

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[Born2Steel]

Moore - Fauntanu - Frazier - McCormick - Jones

or....?

[DesertSteel]

Moore - Fauntanu - Frazier - McCormick - Jones

or....?

Or cross out Moore.

[Shoes]

Grade Analysis
Six-year player at FCS with four full years of starting experience and it shows. Elite-level athlete with low pad level. Grip strength is tremendous. Balance could use some work. Anchor is solid but overall has to get stronger. But this is an assignment sound blocker with ideal frame and experience to thrive instantly. Love how Pittsburgh has rebuilt its OL. (Chris Trapasso)

Rating: 81.70 (Starter)
Pro Comparison: Joe Dahl
SummaryMason McCormick has an old school offensive lineman aesthetic with the big shoulder pads. He has great upper body strength and plays with a mean streak. McCormick will play to the whistle and finish plays, but is susceptible to inside counter moves. His pad level gets too high in the run game, which makes it difficult for him to achieve leverage.

About

• Career: 57 starts for 2-time FCS national champions (2022-23)
• Career: Allowed 3 sacks on 1,544 career pass-blocking snaps

Strengths

• Great upper body strength
• Quick out of his stance
• Looks for work when disengaged
• Good torque through his core
• Finishes plays

Weaknesses

• Pad level gets too high in the run game
• Oversets laterally and becomes susceptible to inside counters
• Achieving leverage is inconsistent

Combine Data

• 40-yard dash: 5.08 seconds
• Vertical jump: 35.5 inches
• 20-yard shuttle run: 4.45 seconds
• Broad jump: 9 feet, 9 inches
• 3-cone drill: 7.59 seconds

[pczach]

Right. My point is that a lot of no name guys are going to get picked ahead of those well known names thanks to the due diligence of the scouting department.

Absolutely.....as they should be. There is a ton of talent at lesser-known schools.

[Mojouw]

This is almost certainly why they drafted him.

Also....FWIW, Seumalo and Daniels are not the athletic mobile guards that Smith seems to prefer...McCormick seems to be that guy.

[hawaiiansteeler]

Moore - Fauntanu - Frazier - McCormick - Jones

or....?

McCormick played every snap in college at left guard.

which probably does mean that we'll move him to the right.

[polamalubeast]

This is almost certainly why they drafted him.

Also....FWIW, Seumalo and Daniels are not the athletic mobile guards that Smith seems to prefer...McCormick seems to be that guy.

Daniels is also in the last year of his contract

[tube517]

Baldy spazzed out over this pick.

I think Baldy has a closet full of Steeler jerseys and wanted to be a Steeler

[BlackAndGold]

Richie Incognito

[86WARD]

He HAS to play with the neck roll in the NFL!!!

[MULLDOG24]

very athletic for his size he should get stronger and get better technique in an NFL program I like this young man especially where the steelers got him in the 6th

[pczach]

very athletic for his size he should get stronger and get better technique in an NFL program I like this young man especially where the steelers got him in the 6th

I agree. He's only going to get stronger and better in every way with the latest greatest training programs and nutrition, plus NFL coaching.

I look forward to seeing him develop.

[Born2Steel]

McCormick played every snap in college at left guard.

which probably does mean that we'll move him to the right.

I actually did not know that. He's obviously a Guard. Maybe switch McCormick to LG and Fautanu to RG?

[DesertSteel]

I actually did not know that. He's obviously a Guard. Maybe switch McCormick to LG and Fautanu to RG?

If Fautanu was there 2nd rated tackle on the big board, I'm pretty sure he's gonna play tackle.

[tube517]

If Fautanu was there 2nd rated tackle on the big board, I'm pretty sure he's gonna play tackle.

Tomlin confirmed that in the presser. Just don't know yet which side.

[tube517]

LOL I scared this dude i(Ben Anderson) into closing comments on Mason McCormick.

I said the Steelers/Omar/Andy/Tomlin were thinking ahead with this pick.

Both James Daniels and Nate Herbig are in the final year of their contracts.

This dude said he didn't "understand" this pick. How can you run a blog that is Steeler focused and be that clueless.

[Mojouw]

LOL I scared this dude i(Ben Anderson) into closing comments on Mason McCormick.

I said the Steelers/Omar/Andy/Tomlin were thinking ahead with this pick.

Both James Daniels and Nate Herbig are in the final year of their contracts.

This dude said he didn't "understand" this pick. How can you run a blog that is Steeler focused and be that clueless.

Yeah.....there are a ton of really bad Steelers focused sites out there.

The other thing is there were like 60 picks between McCormick and there next selection, there are not a great deal of guys they were connected to picked.

Some names that do stand out:
Cam Hart CB
Kamara Edge
TJ Tampa CB

I am sure I am missing guys. But the rush on WR, DL, and largely CB had already happened. There are some safeties that fit their system....but they seem to have addressed that with their final selection.

McCormick was likely true to their rankings. Highest rated guy left standing.

I have no idea why anyone would have a hard time figuring this one out. There's no way I could have predicted it. But in hindsight it seems obvious.

[Psycho Ward 86]

LOL I scared this dude i(Ben Anderson) into closing comments on Mason McCormick.

I said the Steelers/Omar/Andy/Tomlin were thinking ahead with this pick.

Both James Daniels and Nate Herbig are in the final year of their contracts.

This dude said he didn't "understand" this pick. How can you run a blog that is Steeler focused and be that clueless.

im sorry but its hard not laugh at this "highlight reel" full of jv high school size defenders trying to stack and shed a soon to be NFL lineman

[tube517]

https://steelersdepot.com/2024/06/ja...-his-contract/

Pretty much answers why they picked McCormick and have moved Anderson to guard full time.

And Big Herbig is focusing on center now.

[BlackAndGold]

The guard market exploded during FA. So not surprising Daniels won't get a deal done. Which sucks because he's a good player.

[hawaiiansteeler]

maybe one of the reasons we feel comfortable letting Daniels leave in free agency:

[hawaiiansteeler]

The guard market exploded during FA. So not surprising Daniels won't get a deal done. Which sucks because he's a good player.

PFF graded McCormick as the second-best guard in college football in 2023, giving him the best grade of anyone for run blocking. In addition McCormick allowed only three sacks over 1,605 career college passblocking snaps, he may very well be Daniels' replacement in the starting lineup next season.