The Steelers have a longstanding tradition of selecting offensive linemen in the first round of the draft. Last night, they added to that tradition by choosing former Washington left tackle Troy Fautanu with the 20th overall pick. This marks the second year in a row 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 stalwart on the field for Washington, starting 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 focus on offense during the first round of this year’s draft is evident from the number of players selected in key positions. Six offensive linemen, six quarterbacks, three wide receivers and a tight end were chosen 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 those positions.
