Grading the Steelers selection of Troy Fautanu
The wait of wondering who the Pittsburgh Steelers will select in the first round is over.
Pittsburgh selected Washington offensive tackle Troy Fautanu with the No. 20 pick, making it clear they are trying to get stronger up front.
Fautanu was one of the best pass-blocking tackles in the country last season, keeping Michael Penix clean and giving him time to distribute the ball to Rome Odunze and Jalen McMillan en route to helping the Huskies earn a berth in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game.
The Steelers taking Fautanu says they are comfortable with keeping Broderick Jones at right tackle. Unless they are going to try to shift him Fautanu to the right side and move Jones to left. Regardless, it’s clear the Steelers recognized their issues up front. They still have a hole at center to fill, but they have what they hope will be two franchise centerpieces at either tackle spot, and they get them in consecutive years.
This is a home run selection for the Steelers. While some would have preferred Graham Barton, the Steelers can still address center on Day Two. This is a great pick and the Steelers didn’t have to move up to make it happen.
Final Grade: A