Troy Fautanu, an offensive lineman at Washington, was chosen by the Pittsburgh Steelers with the 20th pick of the 2024 NFL Draft, giving them an impact addition up front.
Originally a guard out of Nevada, Fautanu was recruited despite his small frame. At Washington, he gained over thirty pounds (weighing 317 at the combine) and played guard for a spell before switching to left tackle, where he started all 32 games for the Huskies the previous two seasons.
Despite gaining strength, Fautanu did not lose his quickness; he is still a swift and agile guard with active hands and lightning-fast feet. Along with an impressive 82-inch wingspan, he also has fantastic arm length—34 1/2 inches—for his height (6 feet 4 inches). Even if he might be a great at guard on the inside, that is enough length to play tackle.
Being an older player, Fautanu is somewhat of a late bloomer. By the time his rookie season ends, he will be 24 years old. Although he has been healthy, some may consider him to be a little too light and raw to play tackle right away. However, coach Mike Tomlin stated the Steelers see him as a tackle. Still, his adaptability is a valuable asset when required.
