PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – You would think the third drafted offensive lineman in a singular class would be a long-term project with a slight chance to make the team. As Mason McCormick had his first Steelers experience Friday working on the right side with Troy Fautanu with Zach Frazier in the middle, there are expectations, if not for this season.
It was something Steelers GM Omar Khan said after drafting the All-American from South Dakota State.
"We had a couple players at the position who are in the last year of their contracts and felt it was important to address it if he was there, and we did," Khan said after the NFL Draft ended.
That would be their starting right guard James Daniels, arguably their most consistent offensive lineman the last two years. Also done after this season is Nate Herbig and Isaac Seumalo's contract ends in 2025 when he turns 32 and will be 10 years in the league.
"I feel extremely comfortable," McCormick said. "I'm ready to plug and play wherever I can. I'm ready to play anywhere on the interior. I've repped center throughout my entire career, and I feel super comfortable with that. I'm ready to play either guard as well."
"I'm just ready to be a team-first guy and help the team however I can."
"He plays football the right way, he loves football," said Steelers offensive line coach Pat Meyer. "He wanted to be a Steeler, I know that, just talking to him and working the kid out. So, we're obviously excited to have him. So, I have him penciled in at the guard position and he'll come in and compete from day one."
Compete is something McCormick did well at the FCS level, 57 consecutive starts and he credits consistent effort on a daily basis for his ability to stay on the field. He said he brings intensity and a ton of effort to every day. He takes a lot of pride in his work.
Meyer said he could see it in his tape, not just against other FCS teams, but he was impressed with how he played in their matchup with Iowa. But even against non-FBS teams the Steelers believe in his potential, not as just a flier in the fourth round.
"I mean, you still look for the traits, in terms of physical traits and play style, do they have that and what redeeming qualities do they have that we really love," Meyer explained of evaluating FCS players. "And then their makeup, their background, their play style, the way they're brought up in the athletic realm and football. That's what we'll look for."
He said the intangibles are still the same as far as playing through injury. Do they play a whole game? Is there a phase to the game where he brings more than others? They also loved his athleticism he showed at the NFL Combine and adding that to the game tape, think there is a guy waiting to show he can play at this level and maybe after this season, legitimately compete to start.
Meyer said McCormick has similar traits to Troy Fautanu and Zach Frazier.
"These guys are tenacious," Meyer said of all three. "They play the game the right way. And they're the love of the game. All three of them truly have that love for the game and the passion for the game. They want to get going right away and that's obviously exciting for me as their position coach to work with them."
