The Pittsburgh Steelers have some big decisions to make on the offensive line this year, especially with the tackles. Which side should Broderick Jones and/or rookie Troy Fautanu play on? Should Fautanu even start in his rookie season, or should Dan Moore Jr. get another year at left tackle? Obviously, everyone wants to play as much as they can, and that's why camp competitions exist: to see who should get the starting role. Those answers may have been revealed a little bit early.
Fautanu spoke with the media after mandatory minicamp concluded. He talked about where he expects to be to start off his first ever NFL training camp.
Coming out of college, Fautanu was seen as a guy that could play multiple positions, including both tackle spots. He spent most of the minicamps and Organized Team Activities (OTAs) at right tackle, and it seems like he will continue to grow and develop in that same position. Whether he sticks in that role or not is to be determined, but signs point to him starting Week 1.
With Fautanu playing right tackle, Jones will most likely work at left tackle. The 2023 first-round pick spent about half the season as the starting right tackle, with just one start at left tackle. Steelers General Manager Omar Khan previously stated that Jones is a pure left tackle, and he clearly wants to move Jones back to that side sooner rather than later.
The Steelers' offensive line has been getting younger and younger in the Khan era. They have drafted five offensive linemen over the last two drafts, with three of them coming in the first two rounds. The unit could get even younger, depending on if James Daniels re-signs or not.
Steelers Will Most Likely Start Fautanu If He Sticks At Right Tackle
The primary competition on the offensive line is the young tackles vs Moore, who is entering his fourth year on the team. If Jones ends up starting at left tackle to begin the 2024 season, Moore will have his work cut out for him trying to get any additional playing time. Even though Fautanu has had his struggles at right tackle during Organized Team Activities (OTAs), Moore has never been comfortable on that side of the line.
With the team wanting to make sure Jones can play at left tackle, Moore's best chance at starting is if he can develop on the right side, and that does not seem to be happening anytime soon.
If all of the current trends remain true, Jones will be the starting left tackle, Fautanu will be the starting right tackle, and Moore will be in competition with Spencer Anderson for that swing tackle/backup tackle role. Anything can change in training camp based on how everyone plays, but as of now, the first-round picks have pole position of their respective sides.
Either way, there is a lot to be expected from training camp. Fautanu did not block Michael Penix Jr's blind side, even though he was primarily a left tackle with the Washington Huskies. He still has a lot to learn, despite also not being assigned to Russell Wilson's blind side, but if he can develop at right tackle, the Steelers have their starting tackles for a decade.
