Best available players the Saints should target on Day 3 of the 2024 NFL Draft
By Mason Duhon
South Dakota State OT Mason McCormick
This selection of an extremely athletic FCS offensive tackle reeks of the Trevor Penning story arc. However, there are some important differences to note. Mason McCormick has been an iron man for South Dakota State.
Penning redshirted his freshman year and saw sparing action before starting his final three seasons. On the other hand, McCormick redshirted his freshman year and then started the final 12 games of his sophomore season and the four full seasons that followed.
He also has the necessary traits: a 6-5, 315-pound frame that would translate very well to the next level and a mean streak when he's tasked with run-blocking. His pass protection needs work, considering he struggled against the low level of competition he faced in school, but taking a low-risk swing on McCormick late in the fifth round could pay surprising dividends.