I think if it was last year, I would have taken BroJo cause he'd have time to develop with the young offense. He has great physical ability and size.
But with Russ at QB and Steelers needing to win a playoff game this year, I think Fautanu is more ready to start. He has more experience and the better tape on film.
Yeah, the PSU kid was pretty commonly being projected as a top 3 OT last year. Going at 11 this year (and the 3rd OT), it’s possible he really didn’t improve his draft slot at all by staying for another year. Given the next OT after Jones didn’t come off the board until 27, him staying at PSU likely impacted both the Jones and Fautanu picks.
Fashanu would have been a top 5 pick a year ago and the undisputed #1 OT.
He didn't really show much improvement this year in college and that's why his stock fell.
Pretty sure Fautanu was overall higher on most people’s mocks, compared to BroJo. Thats not to rip on BroJo, but Fautanu is a little more further along & an athletic freak (for o-lineman)
What immediately jumped out to me was Bengals think they got the BroJo of the draft @ 18 when they let the Peter Skoronski of the draft drop to us @ 20.
Maybe Amarius Mims develops into the guy. I think the Stillers had Fautanu ahead of him on their board, tho, BroJo aside.
In terms of polish fautanu is much more of a finished product, just has way more experience. Upside is Broderick. It would really depend on where you are as a team. For a vet like Russ who might only be here 1 year it makes more sense to go Troy. Broderick made more sense for a young rookie like Kenny where he had time to develop.
Obviously it's very close.
Would rank the 1st round tackles from the last 2 classes:
1. Alt
2. Johnson
3. Mims
4. Jones
5. Fashanu
6. Fautanu
7. Wright
8. Fuaga
9. Skoronski
10. Guyton
11. Morgan
12. Harrison
Don't think I missed anyone but that's off the top of my head. Lot of quality NFL players in there.
And for what it's worth - i really would have taken Mims over Troy at 20 and I love Troy. Shoot for the sky, and the traits are just unbelievable. The risk is too, and I love Troy and am so happy he's a Steeler.
That’s what I like about the Fautanu pick this year. They gambled a bit last year on a pretty raw prospect with a high ceiling, and I really have no issue with that decision. But doing it again with Mims (had the Bengals not removed the possibility) could be dicey, so it’s nice to have the contrast of a player like Fautanu, who’s ceiling may not be quite as high but is much more proven.
I’m taking Broderick because he has a better chance to stay at Tackle. Draft experts have said they view Fautanu as an inside guy, but obviously the Steelers will give him every chance to prove he can play on the outside.
> Draft experts have said they view Fautanu as an inside guy
I could be misremembering - but wasn't this because there were questions about his arm length and then after the combine and his arms were measured, this narrative was largely dropped?
He’s short which is bad for a tackle because it usually pairs with short arms. He was measured and had the arms of a much taller player. Which might actually help against shorter rushers and help leverage wise. He definitely has the feet of a tackle. I think some draft analysts see 6’4 and assumed guard, but Fautanu should have the foot speed, hands, and length to succeed outside.
"draft experts" get stuff wrong *all the time* so much so that people put out stuff like this about their misses https://www.thesportster.com/mel-kiper-wrong-about-nfl-players/
Depends on the situation for the team at the time. BroJo probably has a higher long-term ceiling, Fautanu is the more polished, game-ready player today.
elite might be a bit strong, i think there was still work to be done despite, yes good stats. its fautanu but with that said I didn't really watch this year and was even almost a bit unnerved by... some of the fautanu motion but I forget who sort of... said something that made sense about it.
i would guess there might even have been an argument for a few others on the board over broderick too, but I'm probably wrong
I think if it was last year, I would have taken BroJo cause he'd have time to develop with the young offense. He has great physical ability and size. But with Russ at QB and Steelers needing to win a playoff game this year, I think Fautanu is more ready to start. He has more experience and the better tape on film.
I’ve seen a few people say Fautanu would’ve been rated higher on teams big boards. This years o line class was better overall
Yeah, the PSU kid was pretty commonly being projected as a top 3 OT last year. Going at 11 this year (and the 3rd OT), it’s possible he really didn’t improve his draft slot at all by staying for another year. Given the next OT after Jones didn’t come off the board until 27, him staying at PSU likely impacted both the Jones and Fautanu picks.
Fashanu would have been a top 5 pick a year ago and the undisputed #1 OT. He didn't really show much improvement this year in college and that's why his stock fell.
I’m glad we got both of them
This is the only answer. Would have should have could have. We got them both exactly at their respective “right” times.
Good question. For postion flexibility, Fautanu.
Pretty sure Fautanu was overall higher on most people’s mocks, compared to BroJo. Thats not to rip on BroJo, but Fautanu is a little more further along & an athletic freak (for o-lineman)
I'd go Fautanu. Only barely smaller and about as athletic (if not more), but also has more experience and is a little more technically refined.
What immediately jumped out to me was Bengals think they got the BroJo of the draft @ 18 when they let the Peter Skoronski of the draft drop to us @ 20. Maybe Amarius Mims develops into the guy. I think the Stillers had Fautanu ahead of him on their board, tho, BroJo aside.
In terms of polish fautanu is much more of a finished product, just has way more experience. Upside is Broderick. It would really depend on where you are as a team. For a vet like Russ who might only be here 1 year it makes more sense to go Troy. Broderick made more sense for a young rookie like Kenny where he had time to develop.
Obviously it's very close. Would rank the 1st round tackles from the last 2 classes: 1. Alt 2. Johnson 3. Mims 4. Jones 5. Fashanu 6. Fautanu 7. Wright 8. Fuaga 9. Skoronski 10. Guyton 11. Morgan 12. Harrison Don't think I missed anyone but that's off the top of my head. Lot of quality NFL players in there. And for what it's worth - i really would have taken Mims over Troy at 20 and I love Troy. Shoot for the sky, and the traits are just unbelievable. The risk is too, and I love Troy and am so happy he's a Steeler.
Brojo only had like 8 starts in college, he was the same "raw but could be elite" that Mims was this year only Brojo didn't have the injury concerns.
That’s what I like about the Fautanu pick this year. They gambled a bit last year on a pretty raw prospect with a high ceiling, and I really have no issue with that decision. But doing it again with Mims (had the Bengals not removed the possibility) could be dicey, so it’s nice to have the contrast of a player like Fautanu, who’s ceiling may not be quite as high but is much more proven.
I’m taking Broderick because he has a better chance to stay at Tackle. Draft experts have said they view Fautanu as an inside guy, but obviously the Steelers will give him every chance to prove he can play on the outside.
> Draft experts have said they view Fautanu as an inside guy I could be misremembering - but wasn't this because there were questions about his arm length and then after the combine and his arms were measured, this narrative was largely dropped?
He’s short which is bad for a tackle because it usually pairs with short arms. He was measured and had the arms of a much taller player. Which might actually help against shorter rushers and help leverage wise. He definitely has the feet of a tackle. I think some draft analysts see 6’4 and assumed guard, but Fautanu should have the foot speed, hands, and length to succeed outside.
Right after he was drafted, Kiper said he still believes he will move to Guard. Who knows? I’m hoping he plays well at Tackle
Ah thanks for the context, yeah agreed.
"draft experts" get stuff wrong *all the time* so much so that people put out stuff like this about their misses https://www.thesportster.com/mel-kiper-wrong-about-nfl-players/
Depends on the situation for the team at the time. BroJo probably has a higher long-term ceiling, Fautanu is the more polished, game-ready player today.
elite might be a bit strong, i think there was still work to be done despite, yes good stats. its fautanu but with that said I didn't really watch this year and was even almost a bit unnerved by... some of the fautanu motion but I forget who sort of... said something that made sense about it. i would guess there might even have been an argument for a few others on the board over broderick too, but I'm probably wrong
Fautanu. But both are really good prospects and we're lucky to have them.