The Pittsburgh Steelers always had a goal of Broderick Jones being the future franchise left tackle when General Manager Omar Khan traded up to get him during the 2023 NFL Draft. The lack of versatility from Dan Moore Jr. prevented that from happening in Jones' rookie season. The overhaul of the offensive line continued in 2024 when University of Washington lineman Troy Fautanu fell to Pittsburgh at 20th overall. The end goal in mind is certainly to have Fautanu on the right side while Jones gets to his natural position on the left.
Gene J. Puskar / Associated Press
Pittsburgh Steelers offensive lineman, Broderick Jones (#77) sets up at the line of scrimmage and prepares to block during a 2023 preseason game against the Buffalo Bills at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, PA.
According to Brian Batko of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, during the team's first day of rookie minicamp on Friday, Fautanu did indeed work in on the right side. It's too early to say that the writing is on the wall for where he will be once training camp starts, but it certainly gives an idea of what the organization may be thinking.
Troy Fautanu was at right tackle for the first day of Steelers rookie camp and said that’s the plan “for now” at least. Mason McCormick was next to him at RG, they said, so both guys flipping from where they played in college.
— Brian Batko (@BrianBatko) May 10, 2024
It will be interesting to see how things play out moving forward, but the dream for the Steelers fan base seems to be a duo of Jones and Fautanu on the bookends. This is the first step in acknowledging that's a possibility sooner rather than later. Fautanu and Moore's training camp battle in Latrobe will certainly be one of the top storylines.
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (twitter / X: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Steelers offensive lineman Dan Moore Jr. (#65) walks on the field at St. Vincent College during a 2022 training camp practice in Latrobe, PA.
No one should be looking into this as Moore becoming a second-string guy right out of the gate. He isn't at rookie camp and the Steelers' plan to work Fautanu out on the right side "for now" just proves that it could be the position they see him starting in the future. Regardless, it's a good sign that Pittsburgh is likely trying to get Jones over on the left as soon as possible.
%202023%20Camp%20Final%20with%20Logos/2L9A5201-544x306.jpg "Steelers Broderick Jones")
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (twitter / X: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Steelers offensive tackle Broderick Jones (#77) walks on the field at St. Vincent College as the team practices during 2023 training camp in Latrobe, PA.
Steelers' Revamp Of Offensive Line A Top Focus In Recent Years
Pittsburgh clearly wants to get stronger in the trenches and the last two drafts indicate that. In 2024, three lineman were taken in the top five selections, proving that Andy Weidl's approach to winning on the line is rubbing off on the organization. The new Arthur Smith offense is bound to want to run the ball down opponents' throats. A line of Jones, Isaac Seumalo, Zach Frazier, James Daniels and Fautanu could accomplish just that.
Are you surprised Fautanu is strictly working on the right side to start rookie minicamp? Let us know in the comments below!
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