Could the star Washington tackle be the answer for the Steelers at tackle… or even center?

Update: With the 20th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, the Pittsburgh Steelers selected Washington offensive tackle Troy Fautanu. Fautanu, who had grown up a Steelers fan idolizing another Troy (Polamalu), figures as a Day 1 starter given the struggles of Dan Moore Jr. at left tackle in the 2023 season, tied for the fifth-most pressures allowed among all offensive linemen (56).

The biggest question remaining is how the Steelers will decide to configure the offensive line. Last year, they selected offensive tackle Broderick Jones in Round 1, a career left tackle, eventually sliding him to right tackle after the benching of starter Chuks Okorafor. It was clear he was slightly out of place there, however, which left most believing the Steelers would look to draft a true right tackle and slide him back over to left.

Though Fautanu has also played his career on the left side of the line, don’t be surprised if Pittsburgh does try to configure him to RT. Regardless, there could be some trial and error as they explore their options through OTAs, seeking find the best configuration, chemistry-wise.

Approaching the 2024 NFL Draft, we’ll be scouting as many of the top prospects that the Pittsburgh Steelers could have their eye on anywhere from Rounds 1 through 7. We’ll breakdown the prospects themselves, strengths and weaknesses, projected draft capital and their fit with the Steelers.

Washington’s Troy Fautanu is one of the best offensive linemen in the 2024 NFL Draft, but he’s also among the most polarizing. He’s projected to be a starting-caliber player at tackle, guard, or even center depending on who you ask.

The basics on Troy Fautanu

• Position: Offensive tackle
• Class: Redshirt senior (Washington)
• Size: 6’4, 317 pounds
• Age: 23 years old
• Projected draft round: Round 1

Troy Fautanu scouting report

If there’s one positive everyone can agree on regarding Troy Fautanu’s game, it’s his athleticism. The Washington tackle’s lateral mobility pops off the screen (left tackle, No. 55 in all clips).

He also has no issues directing defenders up the arc.

His footwork is rapid and smooth, and while his hand technique could use some work at the next level, his upper half is always active and alert.

And here’s Fautanu pulling. He’s a tremendously fluid athlete for his size, which really opens up his usage in the run game. And unlike some linemen who do a great job of getting from point A to point B but don’t do much once they get there, Fautanu actually connects on blocks in space.

Fautanu’s length has been the subject of controversy this draft cycle. Onscreen, he appears to have a squatty build for an offensive lineman, almost like a center (more on that later), with shorter arms. There’s evidence for it on tape, as Fautanu can have problems sustaining blocks on the edge.

However, the Washington tackle’s arms measured at 34.5 inches at the NFL Combine, clearing the unofficial accepted minimum for NFL offensive tackles. Formerly seen as a prospect who would have to switch to the interior, now his passable measurables and clear athleticism make him an intriguing option at tackle.

Still, length isn’t the only potential flaw in Fautanu’s game. I never saw him get embarrassingly driven back into the quarterback, but I did notice he wasn’t always a stone wall against pass-rushes in the same way some of the better tackles are in this year’s class. Fautanu generally finds his anchor later in the play, often getting jolted back initially.

There were highlights, though. Fautanu has a knack for viciously chopping down unsuspecting speed rushers, resulting in a number of plays like the one below.

While Fautanu is a good run blocker, I wouldn’t place him in the road grader category. Besides combo blocks, in the games I watched I didn’t find many instances of him really driving defenders back in the run game. However, Fautanu has a superb understanding of leverage and angles, often subtly turning defenders to clear rushing lanes.

I don’t want to paint Fautanu as a passive figure in the run game, though. He’s anything but. While I wanted to see some more power from him against bigger linemen, Fautanu did have his share of impact blocks against smaller rushers, showing his nasty demeanor as a blocker. In the clip below you can also see Fautanu’s habit of grabbing and pulling defenders, a technique he gets away with a lot, but not always.

He’s aggressive, which is good, but it can get the best of him at times. Fautanu can occasionally put his head down and lean too much into blocks, quickly getting off balance and losing the rep.

Still, his recovery athleticism is something special. There were multiple instances on tape where Fautanu got spun around but was still able to reconnect on his block.

I’ll be honest — while I was wowed by Fautanu’s athleticism, I was still left wanting a bit more in terms of his physicality. When looking at future NFL tackle prospects, you want an imposing lineman who can bulldoze at the line of scrimmage. Fautanu, although a hard-nosed, high-effort player, didn’t offer much of that. And while his arm length checks out, there’s no denying that the length concerns still do pop up on tape from time to time. A good scheme fit and coaching could result in Fautanu’s athletic skillset landing him a starting job at tackle, but as of right now, his best fit still seems to be on the inside at the NFL level.

Strengths

• Extremely versatile, could be a fit at all five offensive line positions
• Elite all-around quickness and agility
• Smart, high-effort player

Weaknesses

• Solid, but less than ideal length
• Lacks ideal power, leg drive
• Can lean too much into blocks

What others are saying about Troy Fautanu

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.

Troy Fautanu’s fit with the Steelers

NFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah stated that there’s at least one team that sees Fautanu as not only a versatile option for all five offensive line positions, but the best overall center in this year’s draft class.

Center?

And could that team be the Steelers? Fautanu played some guard at Washington despite primarily being a left tackle, but he never spent time at center. Still, with his build and strong athleticism. Fautanu would give the Steelers a presence they haven’t had in the middle of their offensive line since Maurkice Pouncey. And Pittsburgh did spend a top-30 visit on Fautanu.

However, left tackle to center is a substantial position switch, and one that involves snapping the ball every play. While it would offer some answers to a few of the negatives on Fautanu’s draft profile, he could still struggle against the massive, powerful interior linemen at the NFL level. Besides, the Fautanu-at-center experiment would likely cost a first round pick to try.

I’ve already mentioned my concerns with Fautanu at tackle. He could be a good option there in the pros, but once again, the Steelers would be spending a first-rounder on a question mark. Still, when that question mark is perhaps the most athletic lineman in the draft, you can bet Pittsburgh is considering it.

TL;DR: 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.

What are your thoughts on Washington offensive tackle Troy Fautanu? And which draft prospects would you like to see profiled next? Let us know in the comments below!