The Pittsburgh Steelers have rebuilt their offensive line under general manager Omar Khan, and one of the team’s best finds has been OG Mason McCormick, a fourth-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. McCormick got the starting nod shortly after right guard James Daniels suffered a season-ending injury, and he’s run away with the opportunity, developing into a consistent, steady contributor.
Former Steelers OG David DeCastro, who played on some of the team’s best offensive lines in recent memory, was on 93.7 The Fan this morning and offered some praise for McCormick.
“As a right guard, [I’m] probably one of the only people so used to just watching that position. Even casually watching, your eyes just always go to him. And yeah, he’s playing really well, it’s kind of fun to watch him, a young guy, and I got a chance to meet him on the field. Really good energy, really nice guy and I think he’s doing a really good job,” DeCastro said on The Fan Morning Show.
While the Steelers didn’t necessarily need a guard, they clearly liked McCormick enough to make him their third offensive lineman selected in the 2024 draft. After Daniels suffered a torn Achilles in Week 4, the move paid dividends quicker than the Steelers thought it would. McCormick was up and down as a rookie, but there was a lot of promise, and last season he ranked 21st out of 81 guards with a 71.1 Pro Football Focus grade, and his pass blocking was the 16th best among all guards.
McCormick plays with some nasty in his game, and he looks to be a long-term building block at guard for the Steelers. He was much more consistent during his second season, and he fits the timeline with Pittsburgh’s other young offensive linemen. It’s nice to see him to praised by one of the best to do it with the Steelers in DeCastro.
The Steelers may have to replace Isaac Seumalo this offseason, as the veteran left guard is set to become a free agent. But McCormick is penciled in as the starter at right guard and if he can continue to grow after a solid first two seasons, he could wind up being one of the best guards in the league.
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