With the 20th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, the Steelers have selected OT Troy Fautanu out of Washington.
"Excited to have him as a member of this organization," Omar Khan told reporters Thursday night at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. "We spent a great of time with him. We met with Troy at the Combine. We had him in here as a 30 visit. We are excited to have him here."
"Just turn on the tape," Mike Tomlin told me with a big smile. "You'll see."
Both Khan and Tomlin really couldn't have seemed happier that they had the opportunity to snag Fautanu at 20. Both spoke highly of his superb athleticism and his passion for the game.
I also asked if they viewed him as a tackle or center, to which Tomlin said, "We legitimately see him as a tackle." They didn't specify which side. However, let's not forget how both men have mentioned this offseason of Broderick Jones eventually moving over to the left side.
The full press conference just now:
Fautanu's passion goes beyond the game. He actually grew up a Steelers fan:
@steelers steeler nation boyyyyy
— Troy Fautanu ™ (@tFautanu) November 25, 2016
But, this kid put up a ton of production while at Washington. He was named All-Pac-12 first team in 2023, the second straight year he earned the honor. He was also named to the AP All-America Third Team and won the Morris Trophy in 2023. He allowed only three sacks over the past three seasons, playing 2,143 snaps during the span.
This pick gives the Steelers bookends on the offensive line, someone who stands a good chance to come in and play quickly at right tackle, though he played primarily left tackle at Washington. There were some injury concerns, which might explain why he fell all the way to 20th overall. But the Steelers did plenty of homework on him, including a pre-draft visit here at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex.
