Participant: OT Troy Fautanu
Inventory Worth: Up
Reasoning: It doesn’t take a lot to get Troy Fautanu’s teammates and coaches to rave about him, and you’ll see why. Regardless of spending virtually all of his rookie season injured, he’s wanting no worse for put on in Yr 2. When it comes to each well being and lack of expertise, it virtually seems as if nothing occurred in 2024. That’s what his teammates and coaches are saying, no less than—and Alex Kozora, our eyes in coaching camp.
It appeared each different week that some beat author was saying the Steelers assume Troy Fautanu is already their second-best lineman. This from a rookie who didn’t even observe a lot resulting from accidents, but one finds the expertise arduous to disclaim.
Have been it not for the silly amount of serious names the Steelers added this offseason, I’d say Troy Fautanu is likely one of the most attention-grabbing gamers to observe this preseason. For some, like me, he might be, as a result of he is usually a decade-long foundational piece. Aaron Rodgers, DK Metcalf, Jalen Ramsey, and Jonnu Smith are all enjoyable, however will they be right here in 2030? Metcalf, maybe.
The Steelers could have secured the majority of their offensive line for a long-term future within the 2024 NFL Draft. With Fautanu, Zach Frazier, and Mason McCormick, they make up 60 p.c of the group. All of them look the half thus far, however Fautanu has confirmed the least.
That’s solely resulting from harm, nevertheless. As evidenced by the Steelers’ speeding him out to start out in Week 2 regardless of minimal observe expertise, they had been already comfy with Troy Fautanu for a while. They might not be about to flip him to left sort out for a second’s discover, however they’re hungry to observe him play already.
With coaching camp underway and the Steelers exploring their new roster, it’s as soon as once more time to “take inventory”. It took some time, however we lastly noticed a few of that change the group talked about after the season ended. Actually, the transfer to commerce for WR DK Metcalf qualifies as a change, to not point out the accompanying contract. Oh, and so they additionally traded some man named George Pickens, which individuals discovered important.
As we converse, we’re within the technique of studying what this Steelers group goes to seem like. The mud is settled on each free company and the 2025 NFL Draft, and now we’re in camp. What different strikes may the group make, maybe surprising acquisitions or departures? They’ve definitely made a flurry of strikes, although some query whether or not they make a lot distinction. This can be a Steelers group ravenous for postseason success, however how determined are they for a playoff win in 2025?
