Summary

Troy Fautanu was selected in the 1st Round (#20 Overall) out of the University of Washington. Fautanu brings rare athleticism, versatility, length, and a physical mindset to the offensive line. His biggest strengths are in pass protection and mobility, and his biggest questions lie in power/run‑blocking and technique consistency. In the right scheme and with proper coaching, he has the tools to become a difference‑maker inside the NFL. His long‑term ceiling is very high; his floor remains a solid starter with some positional flexibility.

Strengths

• Athleticism & mobility: Fautanu is widely regarded as one of the more athletic offensive‑line prospects: “a smooth glider with excellent agility and nimble movement skills.” His footwork and ability to mirror edge rushers are notable and he shows strong ability on the move — pulling, climbing to the second level, showing versatility beyond static pass sets. Bleacher Report

• Length, power potential & demeanor: He uses his length effectively: 34½″ arm span noted, which helps in setting up blocks and keeping rushers at bay. He plays with aggression and a “tone‑setting” attitude; the physical flare shows up in drive blocks and contact. Bleacher Report

• Versatility: He could play all five offensive‑line spots and has the base for interior or tackle depending on scheme. Behind the Steel Curtain

• Pass protection capability: His movement skills and leverage allow him to excel in pass sets with the best fit for him early may be as a protector who uses his athleticism and length more than raw bull‑power. Bleacher Report

Weaknesses

• Power, anchor & run‑blocking consistency: Although he has good tools, multiple reports note he is not yet a road‑grader type in run attack. His ability to anchor against strong bull rushers is rated adequate, meaning opponents with heavy power moves might trouble him.

• Technique issues / consistency in pass sets: Fautanu sometimes plays with a “hurried, frenetic pace” which can lead to imbalance or being caught off‑position by tempo rushers. Bleacher Report+1

• Impatience & over-reliance on athleticism: He has been noted to overextend, overset his hips, or lunge in run fits—these are technique matters that need refining. Behind the Steel Curtain

• Size / projection questions: At 6′4″, he is slightly shorter than prototypical tackle standards; some evaluators believe his best long‑term home may be guard rather than tackle. Behind the Steel Curtain

Outlook & Role

Troy Fautanu projects as a high‑upside offensive lineman with the versatility to start as a tackle but with the skill set that allows a potential shift inside if needed. Given his athletic profile and movement ability, he fits well in a zone‑oriented blocking scheme or one that asks tackles to slide, pull, and climb. He should earn a starting role fairly early, especially as a right tackle or swing tackle/guard hybrid, given his skill set and draft investment. If he develops his run‑blocking technique, anchors better against power, and refines his pass‑set consistency, he has the potential to become a Pro‑Bowl caliber lineman. If the run‑block issues linger, he may settle into being a very good starter rather than an elite one.