After the first two days of the 2024 NFL Draft, the Pittsburgh Steelers had already made a steal with the selection of Troy Fautanu, Zach Frazer, Roman Wilson, and Payton Wilson. On the third, and final, day of the event, the Steelers utilized their remaining three picks to add a guard, a defensive lineman, and a cornerback. We look at the players the Steelers finalized their draft with.

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Mason McCormick

The Steelers were serious about creating an offensive line that can truly contend in the NFL. The addition of McCormick matched a franchise mark of using three of their first five NFL Draft selections on offensive line (in the same draft) for the first time since they chose Ray Pinney, James Files, and Ron Coder in 1976 (per Michael Bertsch of Steelers.com) – and we know how that worked out back then.

McCormick has that nasty disputation on the field that Pittsburgh has been wanting to get back to along their offensive front.

The 6’4″, 309 pound guard scored an unofficial 9.96 out of 10.0 RAS (relative athletic score, combine rank 7 out of 1445 OGs from 1987-2024 per Mathbomb at RAS Football). Ranked as the 2nd most athletic guard prospect at the NFL Pro Football Scouting Combine, McCormick recorded the following results:

• 40-Yard Dash: 5.08 seconds
• 10-Yard Split: 1.71 seconds
• Vertical Jump: 35.5’’
• Broad Jump: 9’ 9’’
• 3-Cone Drill: 7.59 seconds
• 20-Yd Shuttle: 4.45 seconds

Some of McCormick’s strengths include 57 consecutive starts for the South Dakota State Jackrabbits (Missouri Valley champions in 2023) without injury, momentum driven burst on pulls, good twist in pass-pro, great vision, and the ability to redirect opposing rushers with upper-body strength.

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Logan Lee

Lee is a guy I personally got to see quite a bit of on-field as a native Iowan and admitted Hawkeyes fan. As a defensive tackle throughout 2023, the former Illinois (Orion, IL.) state wrestling champion (who played tight end and defensive end in high school), recorded 55 tackles (19 solo), 5.5 tackles for a loss, 3.0 sacks, 3 pass breakups, one QB pressure, and one blocked kick his final season at Iowa.

Position versatile, the 6’5″, 281 pound defensive lineman offers the Steelers a depth piece to learn behind Cameron Heyward and Larry Ogunjobi, without a doubt.

He was ranked as the No. 5 defensive tackle in athleticism at the Combine and recorded the following drill results:

• 40-Yard Dash: 5.05 seconds
• 10-Yard Split: 1.77 seconds
• Vertical Jump: 31.5’’
• Broad Jump: 9’ 6’’
• 3-Cone Drill: 7.16 seconds
• 20-Yd Shuttle: 4.37 seconds
• Bench Press: 25 Reps

Lee fits best as a 3-4 DE or a DT, but is a built more like a big EDGE linebacker. He started three straight seasons for the Hawkeyes without missing a single game.

Although he’s not known for being a big sack producer, he was frequently around the ball play after play. He has good upper-body power and can be slippery working along the line, especially when working opposite gaps. He can also burst into the offensive backfield to pursue rushers and flush quarterbacks.

“I grew up a huge Steelers fan. I started really getting into the thick of the historical NFL stuff. I just loved the Steel Curtain era stuff. I loved watching Mel Blount slam people on their heads and stuff.” – Logan Lee

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Ryan Watts

The final pick for the Steelers, Watts, will bolster a defensive backfield that has been in flux over the past two-to-three seasons. Watts played at Ohio State before transferring to Texas for the 2022 season.

The Longhorns cornerback missed some time due to a back injury in 2023, but still recorded 38 tackles, 3 pass breakups, and a TFL. In 2021 (with the Buckeyes), he led the team with two INTs.

Many analysts, including Lance Zierline of NFL.com, see Watts moving to safety or slot corner for the Steelers. Zierline said, “Watts simply doesn’t have the quickness and agility to stay at cornerback with much success in man coverage. However, he’s already built like a safety and possesses tremendous length with a willingness to lean into the aggression for the position change.”

He fared well at the Combine, though, posting the following stats:

• 40-Yard Dash: 4.53 seconds
• 10-Yard Split: 1.55 seconds
• Vertical Jump: 40.5’’
• Broad Jump: 10’ 5’’
• 3-Cone Drill: 6.82 seconds
• 20-Yd Shuttle: 4.13 seconds

On tape, it’s clear that Watts, at 6’3″, 208 pounds, has great length and can cover NFL-level tight ends and slot receivers. In run-support, he works quickly through blockers to lock in on ball carriers. Once he sees the play, Watts has the power to lower himself to make striking tackles and hits downhill to limit yards after the initial catch.

Watts should be able to improve his skills among the Steelers’ corners and safeties while contributing on special teams this upcoming season.