Since Omar Khan has taken over as General Manager for the Pittsburgh Steelers he has received rave reviews. Whether it is his knack for receiving top return for prospects, or his tremendous draft classes, there hasn’t been much to dislike about Khan’s current reign as the GM of the Steelers.

When you look at his draft classes, you can see how there was a shift in precedence, especially on the offense. The focus in 2024 was int the trenches along the offensive line. In case you forgot:

1st Round: Troy Fautanu, Washington, OT
2nd Round: Zach Frazier, West Virginia, C
4th Round: Mason McCormick, South Dakota State, G

Leading up to Week 3 the Steelers have seen a lot of promise in their rookie class of linemen. Fautanu won the right tackle spot despite injuring his knee in the preseason and then being placed on Injured Reserve (IR) after dislocating his kneecap in practice ahead of the Week 3 game vs. the Los Angeles Chargers.

Frazier was given the keys to the center position when Nate Herbig went on IR with a torn labrum in his shoulder, and it’s a job he hasn’t come close to relinquishing since he took over. In fact, most assumed he would be the Week 1 starter at center regardless of Herbig’s overall health.

Most viewed McCormick as the next up in terms of the depth at left guard, but Isaac Seumalo’s pectoral injury before Week 1 changed the team’s plans at guard. Spencer Anderson started the season to the left of Frazier, but in Week 3 the Steelers started to mix McCormick in as well to get the rookie some repetitions.

What did they see in that limited time? Enough for reports to state McCormick will start the Week 4 game in Indianapolis vs. the Colts. This per Chris Adamski of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review:

Rookie G Mason McCormick said he has friends and family coming from South Dakota to Indy for the Steelers-Colts game Sunday. He is expected to make his 1st career start.

— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) September 27, 2024

Was Anderson playing that poorly in Weeks 1-3 the team felt the need to make a change? Not necessarily, but what they see in McCormick is clearly better than what Anderson is currently providing along the line. McCormick has been getting rave reviews from coaches and teammates, and it will be exciting to see how the line adapts with the two rookies in the interior.

Outside of McCormick’s performance Sunday, it is astounding to see a third rookie start a game along the offensive line for the Steelers this season. McCormick’s potential start was due to injury, but the same can’t be said for Frazier and Fautanu. This speaks volumes about the team’s approach to handling this rookie class, as well as the quality of player they drafted in 2024.

The draft class is already living up to the hype.

Be sure to stay tuned to SCN for the latest news and notes surrounding the Steelers as they prepare for the Colts in Week 4 on the road.