After drafting Arizona State tackle Max Iheanachor and Iowa guard Gennings Dunker with two of their first four picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, it was clear that change to the Pittsburgh Steelers offensive line would be imminent.
Pittsburgh has spent three of the last four first-round picks on offensive tackles. With Broderick Jones still recovering from a serious neck injury that he suffered in November, his status remains up in the air.
Troy Fautanu has suddenly become the most available and ready tackle
that the Steelers currently have. However, should Jones be ready to go for the start of the year, the Steelers will have a decision to make on who plays where on the line.
Speaking to the media after the first day of OTAs, Fautanu made it clear that he isn’t exactly thrilled about the idea of being moved inside.
“I mean, I don’t want to play guard, but if I have to I can. I think I can hang with those guys on the edge.”
Fautanu was the 20th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. He missed the majority of his rookie season after suffering a dislocated kneecap. Fautanu had a solid sophomore campaign and is looking to take another step forward in 2026.
The tackle took first-team reps at left tackle during the first practice of OTAs. Fautanu has experience at left tackle during his time in college with the Washington Huskies, but has only played right tackle for the Steelers.
“I’ve had a lot of talks with coaches. Right now, it’s still kind of up in the air. First day of OTAs just kind of getting out there, obviously the past couple weeks just flipping back and forth. Just trying to get comfortable, but obviously if they ask me to play there, I’m gonna play.”
Fautanu showed consistency on the right side of the line last season and deserves a fair shot to play his natural position. By not picking up his fifth-year option and drafting Iheancahor, the writing could be on the wall for Jones. How the Steelers’ offensive line shakes out will be one of the more interesting things to monitor this summer.
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