In a surprising turn of events, the Pittsburgh Steelers selected offensive tackle Troy Fautanu out of Washington with the 20th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Fautanu's availability at the 20th spot came as a bit of a shock to many, as he was highly regarded by the Steelers' organization, who seized the opportunity to secure him.
KOMO News
Steelers' Troy Fautanu sitting on the sidelines during a game.
He was the sixth offensive tackle off the board. Fautanu stood out as the third-highest rated tackle in the 2024 class, according to Next Gen Stats' overall draft score of 86. Impressively, he garnered an impressive grade of 80 for his college production, coupled with an athleticism score of 87. When considering the pick's overall score grade from Next Gen Stats, it's evident that Fautanu brings considerable promise to the Steelers' offensive line.
RD 1 | PK 20 - Steelers: Troy Fautanu OT, Washington
— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) April 26, 2024
The @Steelers select the 6th offensive tackle off the board, and the 3rd-highest rated tackle according to NGS overall draft score (86) in the 2024 class.#NFLDraft | #HereWeGo pic.twitter.com/3RhXmHkjMi
The Steelers were mocked to take a center or offensive tackle the most and it appears they do take an offensive tackle in Fautanu. He was ranked pretty high and the fact he was available was exciting for the Steelers.
ESPN
Steelers' Troy Fautanu during his time in college.
Standing tall at 6’4” and weighing in at 317 pounds, Fautanu brings a formidable physical presence to the gridiron. His dominance on the field during his tenure at Washington has earned him widespread acclaim, including multiple prestigious accolades.
During the 2023 season, Fautanu showcased his prowess as he was named to the All-Pac-12 first team for the second consecutive year. Additionally, he started in all 15 games of the season at left tackle, solidifying his position as a cornerstone of the offensive line.
Fautanu's exceptional performance earned him the coveted 2023 Morris Trophy, recognizing him as the top offensive lineman in the Pac-12 Conference. Furthermore, he clinched the John P. Angel Offensive Power Player of the Year Award at the team's postseason banquet, further cementing his status as a standout player.
Steelers Get A Stud Who Could Play Center In Troy Fautanu
Fautanu's selection in the draft was clearly with the intention of bolstering the tackle position for the Steelers, as indicated by Omar Khan's remarks during the press conference. However, Khan's statements also suggest that the possibility of drafting a center is still very much on the table for the team.
USA Today
Washington's Troy Fautanu at the NFL Combine.
In the event that the Steelers are unable to secure a center they are particularly keen on, there's an intriguing prospect on the horizon: Fautanu's potential to transition to the center position. This possibility adds an intriguing layer of versatility to Fautanu's skill set and could prove to be a development worth keeping a close eye on.
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