As expected, O-linemen continue to be popular in the first round. Likewise, the Steelers’ top choice is an expected position. Pittsburgh has used the No. 20 overall pick on Washington offensive lineman Troy Fautanu.
Fautanu spent the past two seasons as a full-time starter at Washington, including a 2023 campaign where he earned first-team All-Pac-12 honors while blocking for Michael Penix Jr.. That performance helped put the lineman in the first-round conversation for the 2024 draft. Fautanu has generally been lauded for his speed and athleticism and the 6-foot-4, 317-pound lineman certainly has the physical attributes to compete as an NFL offensive tackle.
The Washington product was considered a first-round pick for much of the predraft process and was mentioned in the same breath as the five rookie linemen selected before him. However, Fautanu’s positional uncertainty may have led to him being the sixth OL off the board.
Some pundits projected the prospect as an interior lineman in the NFL, with some even declaring him the best draft option at that position. However, considering the appeal of OTs, that sentiment may have ended up hurting the player’s draft stock. There was some growing optimism that Fautanu would be able to play tackle in the NFL, and it will be interesting to see how the Steelers proceed with their rookie lineman.
There shouldn’t be much in the way between Fautanu and a starting OT spot in 2024. The team used a 2023 first-round pick on Broderick Jones, but the 2024 first-round pick will otherwise be competing with the likes of Dan Moore Jr. for reps.
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