Steelers pass on top corners to ensure stability along the offensive line with Washington OT Troy Fautanu
It's official: The Pittsburgh Steelers drafted Troy Fautanu with the 20th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Fautanu was my second highest-graded tackle in the class and could serve as a day-one starter at RT with last year's first-round pick Broderick Jones kicking back to LT. An elite mover that can also maul people […]
It's official: The Pittsburgh Steelers drafted Troy Fautanu with the 20th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Fautanu was my second highest-graded tackle in the class and could serve as a day-one starter at RT with last year's first-round pick Broderick Jones kicking back to LT. An elite mover that can also maul people in the run game, here's what stood out most on Fautanu's tape:
Strengths
- Footwork: Holds firm on his landmark with tight feet at a variety of pass-setting angles
- Anchor: Easily drops his weight, uncoils his hips and holds up at the point of attack
- Work Hunter: Will find a rack of ribs with the best of them. Always looking to chip in and hand out damage
- Finish: Has a mean streak and the appropriate strength to dump players and render them useless
Evaluation:
Troy Fautanu is one of the best offensive tackles in the class because of his athletic traits and demeanor. Not only does his tape and pre-draft testing suggest an exceptional athlete, but his approach to the game is notable on an every-down basis. Possessing the physical traits to be dominant, the competitive traits to will any victory, and the personality to be coached, Fautanu could be a Pro Bowl caliber player with the right polishing.
The best part about Fautanu's game is his versatility. He has the arm length athleticism, and intellect to play both tackle spots or even kick into guard if Pittsburgh wanted to do so later in his career.
Pittsburgh had plenty of options to choose from at 20, including every option at corner but Fautanu was likely their highest-graded player remaining, as he was a consensus top 10-level player in the media.
A two-year starter at Washington, Fautanu manned the left tackle position in former offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb’s pass-centric scheme. After playing as a backup his first three years with the Huskies, he was an All-Pac-12performer the last two seasons and was awarded the 2023 Morris Trophy (as voted on by conference defensive linemen). With his lower-body agility and flexible hips/knees, Fautanu displays athletic muscle twitch in his pass sets and when pulling and locating in the run game. Although he needs to become more disciplined with his technique, he flashes violence with his hands and makes defenders feel it when he connects. Overall, Fautanu is explosive on the move and at contact with the foot quickness, body control and temperament to stack winsin both pass protection and as a run blocker in the NFL. While he has the talent to remain at tackle, his skill set also projects well to guard and center and he offers legitimate five-position potential at the next level. Dane Brugler, The Athletic
Final Word
Pittsburgh immediately upgrades the offensive line, ensuring a plus one and road grader in the run game, along with suring up protection for either Justin Fields or Russell Wilson, both of whom like to move around the pocket and extend plays.
