Steelers 2024 Fourth-Round Pick Deemed Most Under-Appreciated Player on the Team Heading into 2026
In the 2024 NFL Draft, the Pittsburgh Steelers used three of their seven total selections on offensive linemen. Troy Fautanu, the tackle from Washington, was taken in the first round, as West Virginia’s Zach Frazier was taken in round two. Pittsburgh would round out its offensive line by selecting South Dakota State guard Mason McCormick in the fourth round. Now heading into year three, all 2024 linemen have solidified themselves as starters for the Steelers. Frazier quickly became one of the league's best centers, ranking in the top five centers from Pro Football Focus all three years, including being ranked third heading into 2026. The first-round tackle has shown a great work ethic as well, bouncing back from an injury suffered in his rookie season, and making the switch from right to left tackle during this offseason’s OTAs, due to the continued recovery of Broderick Jones' neck injury. McCormick, when drafted, was expected to sit behind Isaac Seumalo and James Daniels, two well-equipped guards who had been with Pittsburgh for one and two seasons, respectively, at that point. Daniels, however, would only play four games in 2024, paving the way for the rookie guard to jump in and make a name for himself. Since taking over, the six-foot-five guard has started every game and become a substantial part of Pittsburgh’s offensive line, to the point where NFL.com even named him as the Steelers' most underappreciated player.
It’s not expected for offensive linemen to hear regular praise and attention, and McCormick experiences even less due to the immediate impact Frazier and Fautanu have had. Gennaro Filice, an NFL.com analyst, said: “Often overshadowed on Pittsburgh’s offensive line by 2024 draftmates Zach Frazier and Troy Fautanu, McCormick has quietly established himself as a rock at guard.” With the Steelers selection of Gennings Dunker in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft, the former South Dakota State guard can pass along what he’s learned to the rookie, who has already earned reports of being one of the Steelers most physically dominant linemen. Filice also mentions McCormick’s progression from his freshman to sophomore season, stating, “This past season, the right guard didn’t miss a single offensive snap, reliably neutralizing foes while committing only one penalty, a false start.” If McCormick can teach this level of discipline and consistency to Dunker, who already comes in as a bruiser, the Steelers could have one of the best offensive lines in the league. Overall, Pittsburgh’s offensive line ranked last in penalties committed last season, in part because McCormick was stuck between Frazier and Fautanu, leaving the right side young, determined, and ready to learn.
Throughout the 2025 season, the 26-year-old guard made significant improvements in both the pass and run games, ranking 21st out of 81 qualified guards and nearly making the top 15 in pass protection. Similar to Fautanu, who is moving back to the blind-side after playing right tackle his first two years, McCormick will also be transitioning to left guard. Being in the position he played in college, the switch should be comfortable for the young lineman, who continues to prove himself for the Steelers. Despite playing in the shadow of players such as Frazier and Fautanu, and likely with Dunker and 2026 first-round pick Max Iheanachor as well, McCormick has found his home in the Steel City, likely for the foreseeable future. According to Filice, “Bottom Line: The former fourth-round pick out of South Dakota State has clearly cemented a place among the front five in Pittsburgh.” The black and gold have the potential for their front five to be one of the top in the league, and jump to contention in 2026. While three out of the Steelers' past four first-round picks have been used on offensive tackles, it seems that the sneaky selection of a guard in the fourth round was incredibly influential for Pittsburgh.
