Steelers GM confirms suspicion regarding what position 2024 first-round selection will play
When the Pittsburgh Steelers selected Troy Fautanu with the 20th overall pick in April's draft, one thing was clear, they got a lot better on the offensive line. What was not known, however, was the position he would play. Well between him and GM Omar Khan, that is now clear. Troy Fautanu to play RT […]
When the Pittsburgh Steelers selected Troy Fautanu with the 20th overall pick in April's draft, one thing was clear, they got a lot better on the offensive line.
What was not known, however, was the position he would play.
Well between him and GM Omar Khan, that is now clear.
Troy Fautanu to play RT
“I kind of just leave that up to the coaches. I’m pretty sure I’ll be sticking at right [tackle] competing for whatever position they may throw at me. So I’m just ready for whatever opportunity," said Fautanu during last week's minicamp.
That was then confirmed on Friday by Omar Khan during his appearance on 93.7 The Fan, where he said that Fautanu would be playing RT, though he wouldn't divulge any information on whether or not it will be starting RT.
In an ideal world, Broderick Jones kicks to the left side, (his natural position) Fautanu steps up at RT and Zach Frazier starts at center. But if we know anything about the Steelers, it's that they opt to nurture their rookies as opposed to baptizing them by fire.
That needs to change this year, however. Dan Moore Jr. while serviceable at left tackle, is certainly not the player that Broderick Jones can become. And in order for him to become that, he needs reps, and reps at left tackle not right.
The nightmare scenario for Steelers fans is a world where Broderick Jones and Fautanu are competing for the right tackle spot while Dan Moore Jr. holds down the fort on the left side, meaning one of the two back-to-back first-round picks is riding the pine.
I expect Pittsburgh to be smarter than that, and I believe this year is when they buck the trend of making rookies "earn their stripes" and start players like Fautanu and Frazier from Week 1.
Why? Because Pittsburgh can't afford a slow start to the season. The post-Thanksgiving stretch of games rivals the hardest in recent memory. Throwing rookies in after the Week 9 bye does the team no justice as now you have dealt with underwhelming play for the first half of the season and rookies trying to acclimate to the NFL for the second half.
If Fautanu is to play right tackle, let's see it from Week 1.
Pittsburgh Steelers on pace to begin training camp in a spot other teams can only dream of
Things are looking up.
