Looking at what the tape has to say about the latest member of the black and gold — as well as the experts.
The Steelers maintained their focus on the trenches in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft, selecting Washington offensive tackle Troy Fautanu with the 20th overall selection.
Fautanu, an All-Pac-12 First Team member in 2023, fell down draft boards in the first round due to injury concerns, but he remains a highly athletic lineman who has been projected as a starting-caliber player at every offensive line position from left tackle to center by NFL analysts.
Troy Fautanu was drafted with pick 20 of round 1 in the 2024 draft class. He scored a 9.62 #RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 53 out of 1377 OT from 1987 to 2024. https://t.co/fbR1anj4tk pic.twitter.com/c0FZJU9g11
— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) April 26, 2024
Here’s a roundup of highlights, tape, and scouting reports concerning Fautanu from the 2024 draft cycle:
Lord forgive these Steelers fans, for they do not know what they’re saying about Troy Fautanu.#NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/n2ZflfYo9J
— Zach (@ZPSteelers2) April 26, 2024
Your newest Steeler Troy Fautanu#steelers
— Matthew Luciow (@matthewluciow92) April 26, 2024
OL Troy Fautanu out of Washington goes #20 to Pittsburgh. He is the 3rd Husky taken in the 1st Round so far.
— WestCoastCFB (@WestCoastCFB) April 26, 2024
Troy Fautanu’s athleticism and ability to block in space are going to make the team that drafts him very happy pic.twitter.com/fJpXRbc2y0
— Ryland Bickley (@_Ryland_B) April 21, 2024
Ian Cummings of Pro Football Network
Well-built blocker with an exceptional mix of natural leverage and proportional length… Unnaturally elastic, energetic athlete with snappy hip flexibility and corrective mobility… Knows how to use his base alignment to funnel rushers into areas they can be corralled… Explosive capacity off the snap might be a notch below the elite mark… Hands don’t always carry elite knock-back force, sometimes failing to jar opponents… At times, can be a tick late recorrecting outside when blitz threats inside draw attention.
PFF.com
Fautanu is one of the best athletes in this offensive line class. His flexibility, agility and coordination could allow him to play meaningful reps at all five offensive line spots, but his long-term home is likely at guard or center. He has fast hands for flashes, repositioning and first contact. He also has a motor that never quits and looks to finish defenders whenever he can. Fautanu’s aggressiveness is good to see, but it can get him in trouble. He tends to overextend when punching and oversetting in pass protection. His power profile is good only when he has momentum. His lack of lower-half weight shows up when he is asked to anchor.
Brandon Thorn of Bleacher Report
Overall, Fautanu is a twitched-up, explosive blocker with excellent length and a tone-setting demeanor who projects best inside at guard with tackle versatility in his back pocket. His tools and skill set should land him a starting job right away, and he has Pro Bowl potential within his first contract as he settles into a full-time role inside… GRADE: 8.3 (Year 1 Starter — Late 1st Round/Early 2nd Round)… PRO COMPARISON: Ali Marpet.
Lance Zierlein of NFL.com
Ready-made brawler without an ounce of finesse in his game. Fautanu has starting experience at tackle and guard and is well-coached, but he will default to unruly hand-fighting when his technique gets away from him. He plays with average hand placement and can be beaten by length, but his tenacity and footwork keep him connected to base blocks. He’s capable of getting to reach blocks in zone and chaperoning running backs wide as a pulling guard on the next level. He’s a pop-and-reset pass puncher who uses active hands and feet to help with extended mirroring he’s forced into. Fautanu needs to prove he has the leverage and hand quickness to play inside, but all signs point toward him becoming a good future starter.
Finally, check out our Steelers-specific pre-draft scouting report on Fautanu at Behind the Steel Curtain:
Troy Fautanu is an absurdly athletic offensive tackle who might slide inside to guard or center at the NFL level. He’s experienced, versatile, and aggressive in the run and pass game who doesn’t overly impress with power, but gets the job done.