Top O-line prospect, longtime Steelers fan hopes team 'turns dreams into reality'

The Steelers have done their due diligence on the 2024 NFL Draft class's top offensive tackle prospects and that continued Monday.

According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Brian Batko, the team is hosting Washington offensive tackle Troy Fautanu as one of its 30 predraft visits.

Fautanu, a longtime Steelers fan, posted an Instagram picture at the Southside facility with the caption "Dreams turn reality."

The offensive lineman grew up wearing former Steelers safety Troy Polamalu's No. 43 jersey and now could become the latest Samoan player named Troy to wear the black and gold.

Pittsburgh currently owns the No. 20 overall pick and many "experts" believe the team will use it on an offensive tackle to pair with its 2023 first-round pick, Broderick Jones, on the offensive line.

Fautanu certainly fits the bill. The main question is if he'll still be available come pick No. 20 as he currently ranks as the third-best offensive tackle and No. 14 overall prospect on Pro Football Focus's big board.

The 6-foot-4, 317-pound offensive tackle gave up only three sacks in his college career despite playing 1,255 pass-blocking snaps, per PFF.

Fautanu did play on the left side at Washington, but his quarterback, Michael Penix Jr., is a left-handed thrower. That is why many believe he should be able to transition to the right side if that's what his future team wants.

That's exactly what the Steelers are looking for after Jones spent his rookie season at right tackle and the team has said several times that it drafted him to be its left tackle. 

If Pittsburgh drafts Fautanu and moves him to right tackle, it will arguably upgrade both positions after Dan Moore Jr. allowed eight sacks at left tackle last season.

Only time will tell if the Steelers will be able to land Fautanu, but there's no arguing it would be a good story while making his dreams become reality in less than two weeks.