The Pittsburgh Steelers and their global fan base have high hopes for the team’s top draft pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, Troy Fautanu from Washington. The Steelers selected a tackle in the first round in back-to-back years, this before they rarely ever went tackle in Round 1 prior to Broderick Jones being the team’s top pick in 2023.

It would seem as if the Steelers have their bookend tackles for the foreseeable future, and that certainly still holds true, but the journey for Fautanu got off to an expected rocky start.

Last week during the Steelers first week of Phase III of Organized Team Activities (OTAs), Fautanu admitted to struggling at times to get accustomed to the speed of the NFL.

“My first impression of practice is it’s a lot different than college,” said Fautanu. “Just the adjustment to the speed, especially the guys on the edge. (Tuesday) it was a rough one, but it was a little bit better (after). That’s what I’m hearing a lot from the guys. Just find something to get better at. I emphasized that today and felt like I did.

“I’m learning a lot from these guys, especially Dan (Moore Jr.), Broderick (Jones), Isaac (Seumalo). Just everybody in the room. They’re all taking me under their wing and helping me out.”

Fautanu doesn’t just have a good head on his shoulders, but he is also surrounded by good teammates who are helping him stay focused and to trust the process. After all, it isn’t where you start, but where you finish.

“Just trust the process,” said Fautanu. “Just trust in it that every day is going to get better if you just continue to work. So that was the greatest thing for sure.”

The Steelers have their second week of OTAs this week, starting Tuesday, and will have their mandatory minicamp shortly after to get all players back in the fold and preparing for the season before everyone leaves until training camp begins. For the Steelers seven drafted players, the trial by fire may have started, but won’t truly ramp up until the players report to Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, PA in late July for camp.

That’s when the real fireworks start, and Steelers fans should stay tuned to SCN for the latest news and notes surrounding the Steelers as they prepare for the rest of the 2024 offseason.