Over the last few years under GM Omar Khan and assistant GM Andy Weidl’s guidance, the Pittsburgh Steelers have invested heavily in the trenches, especially along the offensive line.
Three of their last four first-round picks have been on the offensive line, specifically at offensive tackle. However, it’s been the investment on the interior of the offensive line in the middle and late rounds that has paid off the most for the Steelers.
Center Zach Frazier looks like the next great Steelers pivot, while Spencer Anderson is a good interior swing lineman who can wear a number of hats. But third-year right guard Mason McCormick might be the best of the bunch.
In a piece for Pro Football Focus, Bradley Locker named McCormick a breakout candidate as a guy who can be the “next great player” at right guard.
Lofty praise.
“The Steelers have developed several homegrown offensive linemen on the rise in recent years, and McCormick could be the next breakout candidate,” Locker writes. “The South Dakota State product was significantly better in his second year, with his overall PFF grade jumping from 57.7 to 72.9. Much of that improvement was fostered by late-season success. From Week 10 and later, McCormick was the 10th-best guard by overall grade (79.2), powered by his 81.0 PFF pass-blocking mark.
“McCormick still has room to grow in the run game and in playing more steadily, but his work in pass protection could have him in improved standing under Mike McCarthy.”
Since stepping into the starting lineup early in his rookie season for the injured James Daniels, McCormick has played some very good football.
Last season McCormick started every game and played 1,088 snaps across the regular season and postseason, finishing with an overall PFF grade of 72.9. That included a 68.7 as a run blocker and a 72.3 in pass protection. McCormick was charged with just 27 pressures and five sacks allowed while drawing just one penalty all season.
He was at his best late in the season, earning his highest single-game grades from Weeks 12 through the Wild Card loss, grading out at a 73.9 or higher in five of the eight games.
That aligns with what Locker highlighted with McCormick as he was the 10th-highest graded guard in football from Week 10 on. He played very well in the run game, helping the Steelers take over games late in the season, and was pretty solid in pass protection, too.
McCormick’s nasty style of play is his calling card, and he brings that edge to the Steelers’ offensive line. Now, under the tutelage of new positions coaches James Campen and Jahri Evans — a high-level former NFL guard in his own right — McCormick could take his game to the next level.
If he does, the Steelers will have a terrific player on their hands. He’s already a good one, but there’s untapped potential there. He could be in line for a big season in 2026.
Recommended for you