The Steelers had a variety of options to choose from when it was their turn to pick in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft. After spending a significant amount of time scouting the top offensive tackles, they decided to go with former Washington offensive tackle Troy Fautanu. Brooke Pryor, a Steelers writer, along with insights from offensive line coach Pat Meyer, evaluated how each first-round pick had performed during offseason workouts.
In terms of Fautanu’s performance during the offseason program, he focused on working at right tackle instead of his primary position at left tackle at Washington. Looking ahead to training camp, he is eager to compete for the right tackle position. According to Pat Meyer, Fautanu has shown rapid improvement in adapting to different techniques and adjusting to the speed of the game. Although they have not yet put on pads, his progress has been impressive.
The Steelers are optimistic about Fautanu’s potential impact in the upcoming season and believe that he has a chance to secure the starting right tackle spot. This could allow Broderick Jones to shift to the left side and Dan Moore Jr. to remain in the mix. However, Pittsburgh plans on taking a cautious approach similar to how they handled Jones as a rookie last season and will likely not rush Fautanu into the starting lineup right away.
Overall, Fautanu’s selection by the Steelers in the first round represents an exciting opportunity for both him and the team as they look forward to training camp and beyond.
