Watch: Mason McCormick’s Reaction to Being Drafted by Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers have selected South Dakota State offensive lineman Mason McCormick with the 119th pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
McCormick took in the draft with his family in South Dakota and was stoked when he got the news that he’ll be a Steeler.
“We’re going to Pittsburgh!” an emotional McCormick told his family after getting off the phone with the Steelers.
.@steelers đ @MasonLMcCormick #GoJacks x #NFLJacks đ°đ pic.twitter.com/06CTFPVU0W
— SDSU Football (@GoJacksFB) April 27, 2024
Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson was the first Steeler to https://twitter.com/DangeRussWilson/status/1784277220464476204″>welcome
McCormick to the team.
McCormick also sent a video to the Steelers on X, expressing his eagerness to get to work with the Black and Gold.
“Steelers Nation, Mason McCormick here. Super excited to be a part of this team and organization. I’m ready to get to work. Let’s do this,” he said.
Letâs do this đ«Ą @MasonLMcCormick pic.twitter.com/Atb8R49lbd
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) April 27, 2024
McCormick was someone that the team hosted for a pre-draft visit. McCormick is another center option, but he can also play guard right away. It should be noted that McCormick played left guard his entire college career, but he worked at the center at the Shrine Bowl and is working there throughout the process, too, meaning that he could be a mid-round option.
As it stands, McCormick is a solid value pick. The 119th pick was right there in the sweet spot for a player like him, who has a little bit of rawness in his game but still has the athletic traits that stick out and could allow him to play early on. Something to note is that is arms are longer than your average guard or center at 33 7/8 inches, and he paired that with good athleticism. McCormick ran a 5.08 40-yard dash, had a 35 1/2-inch vertical jump and put up 32 bench press reps at his pro day.
McCormick is a stout, well-built pass protector and he is strong. His core strength might be his best trait, and he pairs that with fantastic grip strength to stop most interior pass rushers in their tracks. Most guys do not have the combo of pure strength and balance for where he will go, and he has some real upside to become a starter-level player in the NFL. He can get caught leaning a bit at times and his hand placement gets wide, opening up his chest and allowing defenders to push-pull him. But once he cleans up some of those technical issues, he feels like someone with some real starting potential in the NFL along the offensive line with some seasoning to his game.
Nick Farabaugh contributed reporting for this story.
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