With the 20th pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, the The Pittsburgh Steelers selected Washington OL Troy Fautanu. It marks the second straight season in which the Steelers have targeted an offensive lineman in the first round, as the team traded up to select Georgia OT Broderick Jones last year.

Fautanu emerged as an anchor for Washington’s offensive line as the Huskies reached the College Football Playoff championship game. He played 984 snaps at left tackle in 2023, but the Steelers could consider moving him inside. Daniel Jeremiah said there was one team that viewed Fautanu as a center, and despite having 34 1/2-inch arms, long enough to remain a tackle, he was only 6,036 and 317 pounds, and has been viewed as more of a interior offensive lineman throughout the draft process.

Offensive line coach Pat Meyer was in Washington for the Huskies Pro Day, and the Steelers also brought Fautanu for a pre-draft visit. Fautanu, a Steelers fan growing up, idolized Troy Polamalu and posted a photo on Instagram of his visit to the Steelers, writing “dreams come true.”

With 2,143 college snaps, Fautanu is experienced and has played a lot of high-level soccer. It’s a bit surprising to see the Steelers go to the West Coast for their first-round pick, something they haven’t done since drafting David DeCastro out of Stanford in the first round in 2012, but Fautanu is a highly regarded prospect. and there was some doubt he would even be present in Pittsburgh at 20th overall. With the board breaking down the way it did, the Steelers pounced on a player they did their homework on during the pre-draft process and who can be a versatile piece along the offensive line if needed.

He is also a Steelers fan.

It will be interesting to see how the Steelers view Fautanu. The team has a clear need at center after releasing Mason Cole, but could opt to use him at offensive tackle to potentially replace Dan Moore Jr. as well. The Steelers will likely answer that question shortly when they discuss the pick with reporters, but for now, it’s something worth considering.

Troy Fautanu could be a Day 1 starter at any position the Steelers use him, although there could be a bit of a learning curve if they use him at center given his lack of college reps at the position. Still, the Steelers felt comfortable enough to take him at No. 20, and it will be fun to watch him develop.

Barring any trade, the Steelers are scheduled to pick again in the second round at 51st overall tomorrow night.

Check out our full scouting report on Troy Fautanu below.