With the 20th pick in the 2024 NFL draft, the Pittsburgh Steelers selected Washington offensive tackle, Troy Fautanu. Coming out of high school, Fautanu was a three-star recruit. Fautanu received offers from schools like Oregan, USC, and BYU, but ended up attending Washington. Playing 7 games in 2021, Fautanu recorded a 69.5 PFF grade. He would become the starting left tackle for the Huskies in 2022. Where the man would put up impressive numbers. Allowing 0 sacks, 2 quarterback hits, and a 77.9 PFF grade for the season.
2023 was the season that solidified Fautanu’s name as a top tackle in the 2024 NFL draft. With the draft heating up, there were some injury concerns surrounding Tory’s legs. Fautanu had previously torn both his ACLs but stated that he has not had any problems with pain or movement.
Teams were extremely high on the Fautanu, but it was injuries that derailed the draft hype surrounding him. This is how the Steelers were able to grab him so late in the first round. Troy was credited with having great pass-blocking abilities and quick hands. Fautanu strengthened in the passing game but was quite good on run plays as well. The Washington student was graded 3rd for tackles in the 2024 draft, per Next Gen Stats. PFF also gave Fautanu an 88.2 pass-blocking grade in 2023 with his best game coming against Stanford with an impressive 87 overall grade. With all of this in mind, Fautanu has a great chance to start for the Steelers in the upcoming season.
The Steelers drafted Broderick Jones in last year’s draft. Jones was drafted out of UGA as a left tackle. However, Jones started at right tackle for 10 out of his 11 starts. Jones was filling in for the benched Chukwuma Okorafor. Broderick Jones played pretty well at right tackle, given that the young man had not played on that side since high school. Dan Moore Jr was the starting left tackle for the Steelers since 2021 but has not shown any improvement throughout the past season. Drafting Troy Fautanu also brings another left tackle to this offensive lineman room. So, the biggest question on everyone’s mind is, who is playing where?
Dan Moore was getting snaps and both right and left tackle this past training camp but ended up staying as the team’s starting left tackle. Broderick Jones, while playing left tackle in college, seems to be staying at right tackle, as Jones has the most experience playing left tackle out of the group. Troy Fautanu has an incredibly good chance to be the Steeler’s starting left tackle for week one. With Dan Moore Jr not showing any production or development to stay as the starter. Jones and Fautanu have the talent to be a top-tier tackle duo in the league. Jones’ run-blocking abilities and Fautanu’s pass-blocking skills will play off well with one another. Overall, the Steelers have done a fantastic job building this offensive-line unit with young stars like Jones and Fautanu.