Steelers First Round Pick Troy Fautanu 'Does Take It Personally' That He Was 6th Tackle Taken

The Pittsburgh Steelers' vaunted way of doing business has come under heavy fire recently. Franchise legend Ben Roethlisberger openly questioned if it even still existed. Omar Khan has not publicly addressed the complaints, but the first pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, Troy Fautanu from the Washington Huskies, indicates that the general manager is prioritizing players that fit the traditional Steelers mold. 

On Thursday night, Fautanu held a conference call with members of the Pittsburgh press corps. 93.7 The Fan released the audio as part of an article by Jeff Hatthorn. The 2023 Morris Award winner for the best lineman in the Pac-12 confessed his love for the Steelers and how happy he was to be in black and gold. However, it was not all hearts and flowers. The newest Steelers offensive lineman was pointedly asked about why other tackles were being selected before him during the first round of the 2024 draft and the appearance of anger about it while he was waiting. 

"I wouldn't say I took it personal. I'm rooting for those guys because I met a lot of those guys along this process. They are all really great guys," Fautanu replied. "The competitor in me, I guess does take it personally. I'm just ready to pour everything into this organization and get ready to work."

The first round saw Joe Alt, JC Latham, Olumuyiwa Fashanu, Taliese Fuaga, and Amarius Mims selected during the first 19 draft picks. Fautanu became the sixth tackle selected in the top 20 when Khan and Mike Tomlin had the opportunity to pick the top player on their draft board. Fautanu's answer reveals that Pittsburgh might benefit from a chip on their rookie tackle's shoulder from being passed over five times in the first round. 

Fautanu is already displaying the edge that jumps out on his tape. He plays a violent brand of football that should fit in perfectly with the 2023 first-round pick Broderick Jones, regardless of who ends up on which side of the offensive line. It also marks another Steelers player joining the 2024 roster with a nasty streak that Tomlin's teams have been missing in recent years. Fautanu was a little more diplomatic with follow-up questions about whether health concerns pushed him down in the first round.  

"Honestly, I couldn't tell you," Fautanu said. "For me, everything happens for a reason. The thing that did happen, me falling to 20, was something that I went into it open-minded. I'm just glad the Pittsburgh Steelers saw through that and were able to take a chance on me. I'm just really excited for the opportunity. That knee thing hasn't bothered me in years."

The Steelers were completely comfortable with Fautanu's health concerns, and it did not dissuade them from selecting him at pick 20 despite the availability of the rumored generational player Graham Barton's availability when they were on the clock. The former Washington tackle led his teammates to the Joe Morris Award for the best offensive line in the country and is a physical tone-setter that the young Pittsburgh offense desperately needs to take a meaningful step forward. 

Steelers' Investment In Bookend Tackles Puts Arthur Smith's Offense In Great Position For 2024

Pittsburgh's new offensive coordinator, Arthur Smith, has demonstrated that he embraces heavy personnel packages. Securing a pair of tackles like Jones and Fautanu opens up some creative options for him in both the running and passing game with multiple tight ends who may not be required to chip edge rushers before running routes. 

It should also allow Russell Wilson or Justin Fields to roll out with the confidence that the edge won't immediately break down and continue to look downfield instead of running for their lives. One pick in, and Khan and Andy Weidl are off to a fine start in the 2024 NFL Draft. Day 2 begins on Friday night, and it will be exciting to see what happens with picks 51,84, and 98.