The Steelers continue to rebuild their offensive line.
With the 20th pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, the Pittsburgh Steelers have selected Washington offensive tackle Troy Fautanu.
The Steelers entered this draft with several key needs, including the offensive line at tackle and center, as well as wide receiver following the trade of Diontae Johnson and cornerback. As expected, Steelers GM Omar Khan, Mike Tomlin & Co. elected for the investment on the offensive line.
Most NFL draft analysts and insiders projected the Steelers to select IOL Graham Barton with the 20th overall pick, having been the consensus selection early Thursday morning. However, Fautanu was a surprising slide in a top-heavy offensive tackle class, and the Steelers likely saw value at center later in the draft.
Fautanu had a career year last season with the Washington Huskies, having started all 15 games at left tackle and walking away with the Morris Trophy, awarded to the best offensive and defensive linemen in the Pac-12. He seems likely to line up on the right side of the line, while they slide 2023 first-round OT Broderick Jones back to the left.
Regardless of how the line shakes up in terms of formation, Fautanu is a Day 1 upgrade over Dan Moore Jr., offering athleticism for DAYS, plenty of aggression in blocking schemes an who has the versatility to play guard or tackle at the next level if asked to do so.