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Steelers’ Troy Fautanu Admits It’s A Struggle To Adjust To NFL Practices: 'A Lot Different Than College'
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The Pittsburgh Steelers have made significant efforts to improve their offensive line over the last couple of seasons. In the 2023 NFL Draft, the Steelers traded up to select offensive tackle Broderick Jones. Then, in the 2024 draft, they found tremendous value with their 20th overall pick by selecting Troy Fautanu. Pundits have credited the Steelers with this pick as being a massive steal.

Fautanu joins the Steelers after a stellar career at Washington. Many experts believed he would be taken before the Steelers' pick. When he was still on the board, it was a no-brainer for the Steelers to draft him. The organization is excited about building out their trenches and having Fautanu as part of their young, promising offensive line.

Fautanu began participating in the Steelers' OTAs, which started on Tuesday. On Wednesday, after practice, he spoke with the media about the differences between college and NFL practices. Fautanu admitted that the transition hasn't been easy, but he is making progress. His dedication and willingness to adapt are promising signs for the Steelers as they continue to strengthen their offensive line.

“Yesterday was a lot different than college. Just the adjustment to the speed and guys on the edge. Yesterday was a rough one, but today was a little bit better. That’s what I am hearing a lot from the guys. Just find something to get better at and emphasize that today. I felt like I did. I am learning a lot from these guys.”

Fautanu revealed that adjusting to the speed of the players he's facing has been a significant challenge. However, he feels that he's already making progress by his second day. 

Fautanu is taking this time to learn from the veterans around him and improve his game. He's grateful for the opportunity to absorb knowledge from these experienced players.

Steelers' New Offense Will Need Troy Fautanu To Be Great As A Rookie

This offseason, the Steelers made headlines by hiring Arthur Smith as the new offensive coordinator. With Smith at the helm, the Steelers' offense will focus on a heavy run attack and a play-action game plan. For this strategy to be effective, the offensive line must perform better than it did in the 2023 season. The addition of Fautanu indicates that the line is already on the path to improvement.

The more practices Fautanu participates in, the more comfortable he will become. The Steelers will rely on him to step up as a rookie and help bolster their offensive line. OTAs will be crucial for rookies like Fautanu and his peers, providing them with valuable experience and preparation for the upcoming season.

This article first appeared on SteelerNation.com and was syndicated with permission.

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