Steelers Daily News & Links: Troy Fautanu Was Born to Be a Steeler; Draft History Tidbits

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🏈 A few hours after being selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers at 20th overall in the 2024 NFL Draft, Troy Fautanu said on X that he was born to be a Steeler.

“God is so good. It couldn’t be written any better. I was born to be a Steeler! Pittsburgh… let’s get to work! Fautanu wrote.

Troy Fautanu grew up a Steelers fan. His favorite player was Troy Polamalu, so it’s a full circle moment for the Henderson, Nevada native. He was in tears after he got the call from the Steelers.

“When I tell y’all this truly is a dream come true…. It was already written,” he wrote.

When I tell y’all this truly is a dream come true…. It was already written. https://t.co/D1xncp2FhH

— Troy Fautanu ™ (@tFautanu) April 26, 2024

🏈 Former NFL offensive lineman Geoff Schwartz said Troy Fautanu is a tough SOB who looks to punish defenders. He thinks Fautanu is a great fit in Pittsburgh.

Fautanu is a tough SOB who looks to punish defenders.
Fits Pittsburgh well https://t.co/Gu2qGs6Afb

— Geoff Schwartz (@geoffschwartz) April 26, 2024

🏈 Former Steelers offensive tackle Max Starks also loves the Fautanu selection.

Wow!!!!! Welcome to the @Steelers family Troy Fautanu!!! 2 years in a row, OL are selected 1st. So, does that mean we are banking on Frazier or Van Pran being available at 51 or 98??? Could it be 2 out of 3 picks in the 1st day being OL? I like this pick and gives us legit depth!

— Max Starks IV (@maxstarks78) April 26, 2024

🏈 Troy Fautanu had a 86.0 pass-blocking grade since 2022, which ranked seventh among all FBS tackles, according to Pro Football Focus.

Troy Fautanu: 86.0 pass-blocking grade since 2022, 7th among all FBS Tackles 💪 pic.twitter.com/VQxiSpoVTu

— PFF PIT Steelers (@PFF_Steelers) April 26, 2024

🏈 The Steelers drafted an offensive lineman in the first round in consecutive drafts for the first time in the 89-year history of the NFL Draft.

🏈 Troy Fautanu is the 10th offensive lineman selected in the first round in franchise history — the most of any position since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger.

🏈 Troy Fautanu is the 16th Washington player drafted by Pittsburgh in franchise history — the most of any Pac-12 program.

🏈 Troy Fautanu is the first Washington player drafted by Pittsburgh since tight end Mark Bruener in 1995. Bruener was also a first-round pick. He’s now a scout with the team.

🏈 Thursday marked the 21st anniversary of the Steelers selection of USC strong safety Troy Polamalu at 16th overall in the 2003 NFL Draft.

OTD in 2003…

Steelers draft Troy Polamalu

16th overall pick

Check my reply for rest of clip, including comments by Cowher pic.twitter.com/EndTCB1eYh

— Steel City Star (@steelcitystar) April 26, 2024

🎥 Football analyst/scout and offensive line guru Brandon Thorn posted a clip of Troy Fautanu dominating in the run game.

#Steelers https://t.co/ZQzu834Cxg

— Brandon Thorn (@BrandonThornNFL) April 26, 2024

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