In the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft, the Steelers made a strategic move by selecting Troy Fautanu, a former Washington left tackle, with the 20th overall pick. This marks the second consecutive year that the team has chosen an offensive lineman in the first round, having picked Broderick Jones, a right tackle, last year after a trade up.
Fautanu has a solid record of starting every game for the Huskies over the past two seasons, with one of those starts coming at left guard. There is speculation that he may also be utilized at left guard in the NFL, although the Steelers’ plans for their offensive line have yet to be revealed.
Interestingly, a total of six offensive linemen have already been selected within the first 20 picks of the draft, indicating a trend towards bolstering offensive lines for many teams. Alongside these linemen, six quarterbacks, three wide receivers, and a tight end have also been drafted in the offense-heavy first round. This suggests that teams are prioritizing the protection and support of their quarterbacks and offensive playmakers in this year’s draft.