Steelers GM Omar Khan Panicked On Draft Day Over Troy Fautanu As Pick 20 Was Looming

Fautanu, who grew up a Steelers fan, said he knew that Pittsburgh was interested, but that didn't give him confidence that was where he would end up. He said his phone has been ringing all week with prank calls, which he assumes from high school kids, stating they were representatives from teams. They would tell him they were planning to draft him at their spot. Fautanu said it was more annoying than anything, but it did heighten his anxiety. He had been told to answer all calls from unknown numbers just in case a team needed to speak with him. 

The time leading up to the selection was quite stressful. He felt uncertain about where he would be picked, and that made him nervous, but apparently, he wasn't the only one; Khan was also experiencing some anxiety. 

"They had called me pretty early. They called me earlier than usual because Omar [Khan] and Coach [Mike] Tomlin were basically like on edge trying to get me. So, while we were sitting there waiting, throughout the entire LA Rams pick, who had number 19. And basically he [Omar Khan] called me while the Rams were on the clock, and he was asking me, 'Are you getting any other phone calls?' Because they didn't know if someone was gonna trade up to get me. So he was kinda on edge as well, trying to make sure no one else was gonna call. But I told him when I figured out who it was, I told him, I was like, 'Mr. Khan, I'm not dropping this phone.' It was almost like it was meant to be."

The Steelers didn't have to worry about the Los Angeles Rams as they selected Jared Verse, the defensive end out of Florida State. However, their concern is understandable. There had been a bit of a run on tackles before the Steelers' selection, making them very lucky that he was available. 

Most analysts, including Pro Football Focus, had Fautanu ranked as the third-best tackle in the draft, and few believed he would fall to Pittsburgh. The two ahead of him, Joe Alt and Taliese Fuaga, went at fifth and 14th, respectively. What was more surprising was the selection of several tackles considered lower ranking than Fautanu that went first -- JC Latham at seventh, Olu Fashanu at 11th, and Amarius Mims, widely considered a likely target by the Steelers at 18th. 

Fautanu has said he is thrilled to be part of the Steelers, the team where his idol Troy Polamalu spent his entire career. While he might be glad about how it all worked out, he takes it a bit personally that he was the sixth tackle drafted. He will use that as motivation to work hard and give everything he's got to the team. 

Steelers Will Benefit From Troy Fautanu's Athleticism

Khan has said several times that the team prioritizes athleticism and versatility in its players. Since he took over as general manager, we have seen him put those words into action. In 2023, the Steelers selected Broderick Jones, Fautanu's counterpart on the line, who has been praised for his adaptability. 

Last season, the team put Jones on the right side of the line to replace a benched Chukwuma Okorafor. Dan Moore, Jr. was already on the left side of the line, and he lacked the flexibility that Jones has, so he couldn't be moved. 

That raises the question of how the Steelers will pair two natural left tackles in 2024. Khan has said several times that the team plans to return Jones to his natural position. It is premature to start predicting exactly how the Steelers will use these two first-round selections, but Fautanu feels that his natural athleticism will benefit him and the Steelers.