First-round draft pick Troy Fautanu signed his rookie contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers, the team announced Monday.
An offensive tackle from the University of Washington, the 6-foot-4, 317-pound Fautanu was selected at No. 20 overall. Though draft analysts had predicted Fautanu could play at virtually any spot along an NFL offensive line, he has been taking most of his practice reps at right tackle.
Along with Georgia’s Broderick Jones in 2023, each of the Steelers’ past two first-round picks were tackles. Some combination of those two and/or three-year returning starting left tackle Dan Moore Jr. are expected to open the season as starters at tackle for the Steelers.
#Steelers fans seem to love Troy Fautanu. But let's get the opinion of one who covered Fautanu his entire career at the University of Washington. @dickfain joins @TimBenzPGH to answer 5 important questions about the team's new offensive lineman.https://t.co/AtcszvuKDH
— Tribune-Review Sports (@TribSports) April 30, 2024
Like all rookies, Fautanu’s contract is for four years with a team option for 2028, as per the collective bargaining agreement between the NFL and its players union. The value of each deal is slotted, virtually eliminating the possibility of contract holdouts by rookies.
The lone player among the Steelers’ seven-man draft class yet to sign his deal is second-round center Zach Frazier of West Virginia.
Rookie draft picks are permitted to participate in organized team activities and minicamp but are ineligible for training camp if they are unsigned.
Fautanu was named all-Pac 12 each of the past two seasons. In 2023 for the College Football Playoff finalist Huskies, Fautanu started all 15 games at left tackle and won the Morris Trophy as the top offensive lineman in the Pac 12.
