In recent years, the Steelers have been known for drafting offensive linemen in the first round. On Thursday night, they selected former Washington left tackle Troy Fautanu with the 20th overall pick, marking their second consecutive season of choosing an offensive lineman with their first-round pick.
Prior to Fautanu’s selection, the Steelers had chosen 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 Washington State University (WSU), starting in every game over the past two seasons, primarily at left tackle. However, he also had one start at left guard, leading to speculation that he could see time at that position in the NFL.
The focus on offense has been evident throughout the first round of this year’s draft, with six offensive linemen, six quarterbacks, three wide receivers and a tight end being selected within the first 20 picks. This trend highlights how important it is for teams to build a strong offense in today’s NFL and how highly they value securing talented players in key positions.
