PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – They opportunity was there to trade back, but it wasn't an option for the Steelers as they said they loved everything about tackle Troy Fautanu.
So, deciding not to trade the pick, they had to wait to see what the Rams would do at pick 19.
"Every one of those 10 minutes were the longest 10 minutes of my life, I promise you that," said Steelers GM Omar Khan.
"He is not kidding you," said Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin. "He wore me out."
What they loved about him, well was pretty much everything. Tomlin said you turn on the tape and he said you could tell the University of Washington's coaching staff designed plays to utilize his talents. They saw it all on tape-good in space in the perimeter game, great in the run game, great as a drop back pass protector and his coaches and teammates loved him.
The Steelers met with Fautanu at the NFL Combine. Offensive line coach Pat Meyer went to his Pro Day and they had him on the South Side for one of the 30 permitted in-person, pre-draft visits. They were also helped by Mark Bruener, the former Steelers and University of Washington tight end who scouted him.
"His commitment to the game, his passion for the game was very evident in communicating with him," Tomlin said. "That was related to us by those who had the opportunity to not only coach him, but we talked to a lot of guys that played with him."
"His passion is real. It is a calling card, along with his tremendous talent."
He's a little smaller than some of the other tackles at 6'3 ¾", but Tomlin said if he were a quarter-inch taller we wouldn't have those conversations. The Steelers head coach reiterated, just turn on the tape.
"His relationship with the game is a pure one," Tomlin said Thursday. "He's a competitor. He loves football. He loves the things that come with football based on talking to those around him. The preparation things-training, practice, he's a black and gold type of guy."
They plan to use him at tackle even though some draft evaluators said he could even play center in the NFL. Tomlin also said Fautanu took it personally that other tackles were being selected in front of him, five were in all. As for what side of the ball he would play with the Steelers, Tomlin said we'll find out later. They also said there were no concerns about the reported knee issues.
It's the second consecutive year the Steelers drafted an offensive tackle in the first round. Khan said they want to be more physical and it starts there. He's a guy they want to do business with and now he's part of the rebuilt offensive line.
