Welcome to the Steel Curtain Network’s coverage of the 2024 NFL Draft.

I have been giving the distinction of trying to apply an initial letter grade for each of the Steelers selections in the 2024 NFL Draft. I must acknowledge that I have been doing this portion of our draft coverage for years, and I take the responsibility very seriously.

Every grade given is determined by perceived draft value based on pre-draft projections, and projected scheme fit with the Steelers. I take a consensus of all available evaluations into consideration as I formulate my draft board. Hopefully everyone enjoys the final product, because it really is a labor of love.

With all that being said, let’s get this party started.

With the 119th selection of the 2024 NFL Draft, the Pittsburgh Steelers have selected South Dakota State OL Mason McCormick.

Many local pundits considered him to be a sleeper pick for the Steelers at center due to his interior line positional versatility. McCormick is an extremely experienced guard, with over 70 career starts under his belt. He has excellent length for an interior offensive lineman, standing 6’4″ and weighing 309 lbs, with almost 34″ arms. McCormick possesses impressive athleticism for a guard, proven by his 9.96 RAS score.

McCormick is a much better run blocker than pass blocker at this stage of his development, but his athletic score suggests the potential for massive improvement under the right tutelage. He is extremely physical at the point of attack, and he plays with plenty of intensity. McCormick reportedly struggles at times to block a moving target in space, but his athletic profile would seem to suggest that potential issue is fixable with proper coaching.

McCormick is an intriguing prospect. I was honestly unfamiliar with him until the Steelers had him in for an official visit late in the pre-draft process. I was also concerned with the thought of drafting him with the predetermined intention of transitioning him to center. That is an extremely difficult position switch for any lineman at the NFL level, much less a prospect not from a Power 5 conference. Even if that project has superior athleticism like McCormick.

That brings us to the grading portion of this article. Based on the parameters listed at the beginning of this article, I give Mason McCormick’s fourth round selection an initial draft grade of B.

As I mentioned earlier in this article, I had a fourth round grade on McCormick. Once again, the Steelers get solid value by doing absolutely nothing but letting the draft come to them. I appreciate Khan and Weidl’s refreshing commitment to rebuilding their offensive line once and for all. Championships are won in the trenches.

I want to welcome Mason McCormick to the Pittsburgh Steelers franchise. Looking forward to watching you repping the black and gold.