Tag: troy fautanu

Steelers land third-most athletic class in 2024 NFL draft

The Steelers last two drafts have been among the best in the NFL thanks to keying on the most athletic prospects.

Last year, with General Manager Omar Khan and assistant GM Andy Weidl in charge of the Pittsburgh Steelers NFL draft, we saw a huge shift in the Steelers draft philosophy. We saw a huge emphasis on overall athleticism and it really paid off.

2024 was a repeat performance as the Steelers front office landed the third-most athletic draft class in the NFL based On RAS. RAS stands for Relative Athletic Score and is an objective system set up by Kent Lee Platte to compare prospects based on hard data.

We project that offensive tackle Troy Fautanu and center Zach Frazier will both be in the Steelers starting lineup on opening weekend. We also expect wide receiver Roman Wilson and linebacker Payton Wilson will both be in heavy rotation from the beginning as well as they find their fit in the system.

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Steelers select G Mason McCormick in fourth round of the 2024 NFL draft

The Steelers have no selectred three offensive linemen int he 2024 NFL draft.

Sometimes a player is just too good to pass up. Despite drafting offensive tackle Troy Fautanu in the first round and center Zach Frazier in the second round, Pittsburgh went back to the offensive line in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL draft to land former South Carolina State guard Mason McCormick.

McCormick put his name on the draft radar of all 32 teams when he dominated the NFL scouting combine. He was rated the second-most athletic guard at the combine.

We viewed McCormick as a top Steelers prospect based on his ability to move to center but with Zach Frazier int he fold already, McCormick can focus strictly on playing guard.

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2024 NFL draft: Grade the Steelers pick of C Zach Frazier

We give the pick of Zach Frazier an A.

The Pittsburgh Steelers went into the 2024 NFL draft needing to rebuild the offensive line and boy howdy have they done it. First, the Steelers drafted their new starting right tackle in the first round when they selected former Washington tackle Troy Fautanu.

Then moving to the second round, Pittsburgh watched West Virginia center Zach Frazier fall into their laps. Frazier will be an immediate and significant upgrade over Mason Cole and is the second guy the Steelers have brought in to bring a nasty edge to an offensive line that got pushed around way too much last season.

For us, this one is an easy A, just like the Fautanu pick was. Frazier is a mauler who does everything you want from a center. He has a real shot to be the next great Steelers center and definitely the best guy since Maurkice Pouncey.

Cast your vote and give us your grade for the pick of Frazier.

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Steelers select C Zach Frazier in the 2nd round of the 2024 NFL draft

The Steelers got their starting center in the second round of the 2024 NFL draft.

The Pittsburgh Steelers might have done more for their roster in just two picks in the 2024 NFL draft than any other team that didn’t pick a quarterback. First the Steelers get a bargain with offensive tackle Troy Fautanu in the first round and now come back in the second round and select former West Virginia center Zach Frazier.

Pittsburgh released last year’s starting center Mason Cole at the start of free agency but didn’t show any real interest in any veteran centers. This had us confident the Steelers would target one of the three big safeties in the draft. With Graham Barton and Jackson Powers-Johnson off the board, picking Frazier was an easy choice.

Frazier is an absolute mauler who utilizes his wrestling background to beat defenders with leverage and power. Frazier is a guy who is going to be plug and play starter with lots of Pro Bowls and All-Pros on his resume.

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Snap decision: Will Steelers take a center on Day 2 of 2024 NFL draft?

There is conflicting information about whether or not the Steelers will select a center on Day 2 of the 2024 NFL draft.

In just a few short hours, the second day of the 2024 NFL draft will kick off and the Pittsburgh Steelers will see if they can top their pick of offensive tackle Troy Fautanu from the first round.

Most fans and NFL draft pundits feel like after getting a franchise starting offensive tackle, landing a starting center in the second round would be the definition of the best-case scenario.

But there is conflicting information about what the Steelers have planned for the position according to two Steelers beat writers.

Mark Kaboly of The Athletic says the Steelers have no plans to select a center in Rounds 2 or 3. Meanwhile, longtime beat writer Gerry Dulac says the Steelers are targeting West Virginia center Zach Frazier in the second and understand they might have to move up to get him.

We are very hopeful that the Steelers will address center in either the second or third round as well as adding a playmaker at receiver. Pittsburgh has three picks on day two including two picks in the third round.

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Steelers OT on his motivation: ‘I’ve always had the want to go hit someone in the mouth’

The Steelers love the attitude Troy Fautanu plays with.

We have a feeling if you weren’t a fan of new Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle Troy Fautanu before Thursday night, you are now. Fautanu made his way to Pittsburgh on Friday morning and addressed the media for the first time as a member of the Steelers. The Steelers selected Fautanu in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft.

Fautanu is one of those throwback kinds of guys who play the game because he seems to be motivated by a total lack of respect for the well-being of his opponent.

Fautanu told the media on Friday, “I’ve always had the want to go hit someone in the mouth” as how he described his play. This is on top of when he spoke at the NFL scouting combine and said something similar.

There’s only one way to play and that’s nasty and violent. You have to enjoy imposing your will on someone.

The Steelers have needed a guy like Fautanu on the roster. His mentality reminds us of former Steelers guard David DeCastro who played with a real mean streak.

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Steelers rookie OT Troy Fautanu reveals jersey number

Steelers rookie offensive tackle Troy Fautanu will wear No. 76.

Steelers rookie offensive tackle Troy Fautanu landed in Pittsburgh Friday morning and headed to the South Side for his introductory press conference. There he revealed he’ll be donning No. 76 in the Black and Gold.

Fautanu paid homage to his favorite player from his favorite team in Troy Polamalu, wearing No. 43 throughout his pre-college days until he switched from defensive to offensive line in high school. At Washington, Fautanu wore No. 55.

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Instant 2024 NFL Draft grades: Pittsburgh Steelers select Troy Fautanu, OL, Washington

Instant 2024 NFL Draft grades: Pittsburgh Steelers select Troy Fautanu, OL, Washington

The Pittsburgh Steelers made an offensive tackle their first selection last year, and they decided to do the same this year with the selection of Washington offensive lineman Troy Fautanu.

Fautanu projects as an immediate starter on the right side of the line, opposite of last year’s first-round pick in Broderick Jones. Fautanu was rock solid at Washington and brought a level of meanness and tenacity that fits Pittsburgh like a glove.

A huge human who struck fear into the hearts of opposing pass rushers, Fautanu was one of the best tackles in the country last season. Though he will likely stick at tackle with the Steelers, Fautanu has the flexibility to play on either side of the line or kick in at guard. An elite talent with versatility, Fautanu is a match made in heaven for the Steelers.

Grade: A

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WATCH: Highlights of new Steelers OT Troy Fautanu

These highlights from Troy Fautanu’s final season in Washington offer a glimpse of what Steelers fans can look forward to.

The months of relentless speculation about who the Pittsburgh Steelers would take with their first pick of the 2024 NFL draft are over. They needed a tackle and they certainly got one in brawler Troy Fautanu.

According to Pro Football Focus, Fautanu allowed just three sacks in his four seasons as a Washington Husky.

These highlights from Fautanu’s final season in Washington offer a glimpse of what Steelers fans can look forward to:

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Russell Wilson reacts to Steelers 2024 NFL draft selection, Troy Fautanu

Steelers QB Russell Wilson posted a welcome message for NFL draft pick Troy Fautanu on X.

Protection is one of the most critical pieces of an offense for any quarterback, let alone an aging quarterback. The Pittsburgh Steelers started the process of fortifying their trenches with the selection of tackle Troy Fautanu at No. 20.

And Russell Wilson couldn’t be happier. “Welcome to the Burgh!” he posted on X shortly after the pick.

Wilson has absorbed 100 sacks over the last two years. With 527 career sacks, Wilson is fourth behind Tom Brady, Ben Roethlisberger and Aaron Rodgers.

Per The 33rd Team, Fautanu allowed just three sacks on 1,332 pass-blocking snaps in three years at Washington.

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