The Pittsburgh Steelers have had arguably the best 2024 draft. The Steelers had a total of 7 picks in this year’s draft. They are acquiring three offensive linemen, one wide receiver, one linebacker, one defensive back, and one defensive lineman. So, let us look at all these picks and see what the Steelers have in store for these young stars.
TROY FAUTANU (OT) A+
The Steelers’ starting left tackle last season was the former Texas A&M student, Dan Moore Jr. Moore had the league’s 5th worst pass-blocking grade, per PFF, with an abysmal 42.1. Moore was a liability in the passing game who could not block a trash can. The Steelers selected Broderick Jones in the first round of the 2023 draft to replace Moore. He took over at right tackle when Chukwuma Okorafor was benched against the Jaguars. Jones would continue to start at right tackle for the rest of the year, and Moore would finish as the team’s starting left tackle. Offensive tackle was still a huge need heading into the 2024 offseason. The Steelers were more interested in drafting a tackle than signing for one. This decision led to many draft boards having the Steelers select a tackle with the 20th pick. The Steelers would go on to draft Washinton’s left tackle, Troy Fautanu, with the 20th pick. Fautanu was scouted as a top-10 talent, but due to injury risks. Fautanu fell to 20th overall. Fautanu has dealt with injuries at Washinton but played his first full season in 2023. The former Huskie finished his college career with only allowing three sacks and five quarterback hits. Steelers drafting Fautanu has been credited as one of the best picks in the 2024 draft.
THE GOOD:
Troy Fautanu played most of his snaps as a left guard in 2021 and is credited as a lineman who can play all positions. Fautanu is an elite pass blocker who has quick hand placement and flexible hips. Fautanu played left tackle for most of his career at Washington and was graded as the 3rd best offensive tackle in the 2024 draft class, per PFF. It is possible that Troy’s position with the Steelers may not be defined until pre-season. Broderick Jones was drafted to be a left tackle who was filling in for the team’s previous starter. So, it will be interesting to see what the Steelers will do at the right tackle position. As both men have the skill set and build to switch to the other side, it is just a matter of who it will be. Overall, the Steelers got a steal with the Fautanu pick, as he has the talent to be a future All-pro at either left or right tackle.
THE BAD:
Fautanu’s only full season came in 2023, which was his last at Washington. Fautanu has torn both of his ACLs and has also had some ankle problems. Fautanu has gone on record to state that he has no problems with his legs, but only time will tell if that continues. And transitioning to the other side could be hard for offensive linemen at times, especially young ones. Due to both Broderick Jones and Troy Fautanu being left tackles coming out of college, it will be hard to determine which one will be a better fit on the right side. Because whoever will be turned into the team’s full-time right tackle might not be able to show their fullest potential in the NFL. This would suck as both linemen are great talents who could be future Pro-bowlers.