The Steelers have made a habit of drafting offensive linemen in the first round, choosing former Washington left tackle Troy Fautanu with the 20th overall pick on Thursday night. This marks the second consecutive season that the team has used their first-round pick on an offensive lineman, having selected right tackle Broderick Jones last year after making a trade to move up in the draft.
Fautanu has been a consistent presence on the field for the Huskies, starting in every game over the past two seasons. While he primarily played left tackle, Fautanu did have one start at left guard, leading to speculation that he could see time at that position in the NFL. It remains to be seen how the Steelers will utilize him in their offensive line.
The first round of the draft has seen a heavy focus on offensive players, with six offensive linemen, six quarterbacks, three wide receivers, and a tight end being selected within the first 20 picks. This trend highlights the importance of building a strong offense in today’s NFL and the value teams place on securing talented players in key positions.