Steelers rookie faces potential nightmare matchup in his first start

The Pittsburgh Steelers' 2024 number-one draft pick will get his first taste of true NFL talent this Sunday after being thrust into the starting lineup due to the benching of 2023 first-round pick Broderick Jones. Just two weeks into the season, Mike Tomlin has decided to try a different approach.

Whether Jones is just not as talented as the Steelers brass may have hoped or is dealing with a lingering elbow injury is yet to be determined. Regardless, it's time for the rookie out of Washington to make his debut and solidify his spot on the offensive line.

The Broderick Jones saga has been a confusing one. Jones started for the Steelers at right tackle for much of 2023, which is not his natural position. Veteran Dan Moore Jr. has held down the left tackle spot for the Steelers over the last few years despite fans calling for his replacement on multiple occasions.

While the former Georgia Bulldog played respectably in his rookie year, allowing just four sacks, the 2024 season has not gone according to plan.

Troy Fautanu, the 2024 20th overall pick, was active for last week's victory over the Atlanta Falcons but did not log a single snap. The Steelers rookie suffered a minor knee injury in the preseason that caused him to miss some time.

Mike Tomlin may have been overly cautious in the season opener with his latest premiere draft pick, and that's perfectly okay. Regardless, Fautanu will get his shot Sunday afternoon against an up-and-coming pass rusher for the Denver Broncos, which will be a marquee match-up for Steelers fans to keep an eye on.

Troy Fautanu will have his work cut out for him in first Steelers start

Lining up across from Fautanu in week two will be Denver Bronco's standout pass rusher Jonathan Cooper, who gave the Seattle Seahawks offense fits last week despite losing 26-20. Cooper finished the 2023 season with eight and a half sacks and seems to have rolled his momentum from last year into 2024.

The Denver Broncos 2021 seventh-round pick racked up two sacks on Geno Smith in a game where the Broncos forced the Seahawks offense into giving up two safeties and two turnovers.

The Broncos will be relying heavily on their defense once again to mitigate their offensive struggles and will need a near-flawless game to make up for their inability to move the ball. Denver's starting quarterback, Bo Nix, got his "Hey rookie, welcome to the NFL" moment last week after throwing two interceptions, zero passing touchdowns, and a disgraceful 3.3 yards per attempt.

It is fair to assume Jonathan Cooper will be foaming at the mouth to get after the Steelers rookie in his debut and will try to fluster him all game long. Fautanu, however, is one of the more athletic tackles in the NFL, listed at 6 foot 4 inches and weighing in at 317lbs.

Fautanu is a versatile offensive lineman who has played at both tackle positions along with a handful of starts at guard while at the University of Washington.

Tomlin and the Steelers have been hesitant in years past to start rookies so early in the season. This year, however, Tomlin and his staff appear more confident in their first-year players to make an immediate impact compared to previous draft classes.

Rookie Center Zach Frazier and UDFA Cornerback Beanie Bishop Jr. started at their respective positions in the season opener and posted respectable performances.

This Sunday is a perfect opportunity for Fautanu to show why he was a highly touted prospect coming out of college. A strong performance in his first start against a vicious Denver pass rush could catapult Fautanu's confidence into another stratosphere and cement himself as the Steelers' starting Right Tackle of the future.

As for Broderick Jones, the jury is still out on whether or not he can make it back into the lineup, preferably at Left Tackle.

Expect the Steelers to have a similarly conservative offensive game plan like they did against Atlanta. Running the ball and limiting turnovers will be the key to victory again, and Troy Fautanu will play a massive part in ensuring things go according to plan for Arthur Smith's offense.