As the Pittsburgh Steelers understood more than most teams this draft cycle, sports can never fully escape reality. The 2024 NFL Draft class very much felt the marks of the COVID-19 pandemic. The global phenomenon wreaked havoc with college football games, along with just about everything else, resulting in lost seasons and expanded eligibility.
The end result is a draft class full of experienced, older players who logged a lot of snaps playing football. That includes their trio of offensive line selections from Troy Fautanu and Zach Frazier to Mason McCormick. All of them lean on that wisdom and experience as a benefit as they embark on their NFL journey.