Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The Pittsburgh Steelers made a strategic move by selecting Iowa defensive end Logan Lee with the 178th overall pick in the draft. Prior to drafting Lee, the Steelers selected an offensive lineman from South Dakota State, Mason McCormick. On Friday, the team officially solidified their commitment to Lee and McCormick signing them to rookie contracts. 

While Lee enters the team as a sixth-round pick with modest expectations, he is determined to make an impact from the outset. Throughout his college career, Lee demonstrated his prowess on the field as a key starter for 13 games on one of college football's top-ranked defenses. In the 2023 season alone, he tallied an impressive 55 tackles, with 19 of those being solo efforts.

Although Lee may initially see significant action on special teams in the upcoming season, the aging defensive line presents an opportunity for him to vie for playing time as an interior defensive lineman. It will be intriguing to observe his progress as he competes for snaps in 2024.

McCormick joins the team as a fourth-round draft pick, flying somewhat under the radar as an offensive lineman prospect. Despite facing lesser competition in college, he showcased his talent admirably when matched against more established schools, earning recognition from the Steelers for his ability to hold his ground. With his potential, McCormick emerges as a stealthy yet promising addition to the Steelers' offensive line for the future.


Steelers' 2024 Draft Class Praised By The Experts

The Steelers' draft this year was a resounding success. With astute selections across the board, they effectively addressed key needs without sacrificing valuable draft capital. 

Their strategic approach allowed them to secure high-value prospects at the right positions without needing to maneuver in the draft. As a result, fans are brimming with anticipation to witness the performance of the team's promising rookies in the seasons ahead.

More must-reads:

TODAY'S BEST
Oilers crush Panthers in Game 4, stay alive in Stanley Cup Final
Dodgers ace leaves game against Royals due to triceps tightness
Sam Mayer uses overtime restart to win Xfinity Series' return to Iowa
Liberty forward pushes herself into MVP conversation with big game vs. Aces
Tiger Woods makes big admission about his U.S. Open future
Cubs P 'Mike' Imanaga continues hot start vs. Cardinals
Celtics' All-Defensive guard reportedly could replace Kawhi Leonard on Team USA
Tee Higgins' contract decision adds pressure on Bengals in 2024
One-time Defensive Player of the Year open to reunion with former team
College baseball has become too regional for its own good
Three Padres prospects who should be untouchable in trade talks
Connor McDavid's history-making night helps Oilers stave off elimination
Astros scratch Justin Verlander as nightmare season continues
Watch: Oilers chase goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky from Game 4
Watch: Rockies third baseman takes advantage of Pirates laziness' to steal home
Pirates place young catcher on concussion IL
Watch: Game 4 of Stanley Cup Final gets off to chaotic start
Rockies 1B, former NL MVP diagnosed with internal oblique strain
NBA insider shares update on J.J. Redick's candidacy for Lakers HC job
Nationals hurler DJ Herz makes impressive history in third career start

Want more sports news?

Join the hundreds of thousands of fans who start their day with Yardbarker's Morning Bark, the best newsletter in sports.