Steelers writer reveals Pittsburgh's plan for top rookie

When the Pittsburgh Steelers selected offensive tackle Troy Fautanu in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft, we were reminded of Broderick Jones. The Steelers drafted Jones in the first round of the 2023 NFL draft and he was the starting right tackle by midseason.

We assumed with Fautanu it would be the same thing. Veteran Dan Moore Jr. would stay in the starting lineup into the regular season until Fautanu was ready.

According to Steelers beat writer Gerry Dulac, the plan prior to Fautanu’s knee injury was to get him into the starting during the preseason and just keep him there.

After three weeks of training camp and just one preseason game, they are ready to hand the starting right tackle job over to their No. 1 draft choice. They planned to start him in Saturday night’s preseason game against the Buffalo Bills and leave him there for the start of the regular season until he injured his knee Friday night against the Houston Texans.

It’s unlikely Fautanu will get any reps in preseason as the team wants to be sure he’s healthy but according to Dulac, there’s still a chance he’s the opening weekend starter even if he doesn’t play.