Best memes and tweets from fans reacting to Steelers drafting Troy Fautanu
By Tommy Jaggi
The Pittsburgh Steelers have made their first selection. With the 20th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, the Steelers selected Troy Fautanu, offensive tackle out of Washington.
This selection came as a bit of a surprise. Despite telegraphing their need for an offensive line help, Amarius Mims and Graham Barton were the two names continually linked to Pittsburgh throughout the pre-draft process.
After Mims went to the Cincinnati Bengals at pick 18, Barton felt like the pick... but the Steelers had other plans.
Fautanu was a player that some projected to be off the board by pick 20 thanks to his phenomenal athletic traits and ability to play anywhere on the offensive line.
Fans loved this selection as well. Here are the best tweets from and instant reactions to Pittsburgh's first-round pick.
#Steelers OL got a lot better today with the Fautanu pick
— Connor Rogers (@ConnorJRogers) April 26, 2024
My 8th overall player in the draft - gifted athlete, destroyer in the run game, position versatility
Bye bye Dan Moore!
— ΔMarín 🍥 (@adolmarg) April 26, 2024
THE STEELERS NAILED A FIRST ROUND PICK
— Jon Ledyard (@LedyardNFLDraft) April 26, 2024
Steelers land my #6 overall player and #2 OL in the class in Troy Fautanu.
— Brett Whitefield (@BGWhitefield) April 26, 2024
Insane value.
Steelers take Washington OT Troy Fautanu.
— Andrew Fillipponi (@ThePoniExpress) April 26, 2024
He grew up a Steelers fan.
Because of Troy Polamalu.
LOVE the Troy Fautanu pick for the #Steelers
— Dan Schneier (@DanSchneierNFL) April 26, 2024
Back to back OL in Rd. 1. Fautanu is a dog who could play all five positions on the OL IMO
If Justin Fields is going to take a leap, they're giving him every chance to
And it's PIT so you KNOW they're finding WR talent Day 2 as usual
Fautanu was my OT3 behind only Fashanu and Alt. Plug-and-play upgrade at the LT spot for the Steelers. Nasty in the run game and a great athlete in space.
— Nick Farabaugh (@FarabaughFB) April 26, 2024
This probably means Broderick Jones stays at RT. But Fautanu is a fantastic talent. I think it's a home run.
Steelers fans were eager to rid themselves of Dan Moore Jr. in the starting lineup, and this selection could help. However, it remains to be seen whether or not Pittsburgh views Fautanu as an offensive tackle or a center for them.
Steelers found great value with Troy Fautanu
Considering Troy Fautanu hits the arm length threshold the Steelers look for and the fact that he has years of experience at tackle, this is where Pittsburgh should play him to start his career. Fautanu was a left tackle for Washington, but his versatility should allow him to slide over to the right side. This would free up Broderick Jones to go back to his more natural position at left tackle.
When it comes to the value of the selection, the process was correct. The Steelers targeted the highest player on the draft board at one of the most important positions in football.
Fautanu can struggle against the bull rush at times, but he's got the ability to re-anchor, and his outstanding feet help him stay square against defenders.
This is a pick that Pittsburgh Steelers fans should love the more they watch his tape. Fautanu has the killer instinct and football mentality that every coach desires, and he has a chance to be the next great offensive lineman in Pittsburgh.
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