Troy Fautanu Lacks What It Takes

Washington Huskies left tackle (LT) Troy Fautanu gave it everything he had to give on 2022 game film.

Unfortunately, it would never be good enough to start at LT in the National Football League.

That didn’t stop CBS, USA Today, 33rd team, Pro Football Focus, NBC Sports, and Pro Football Network from putting a first-round grade on Fautanu.

I do not see it.

Plain and simple – – Fautanu looked like a guard out there trying to play tackle.

He didn’t look the part.

While he’s over 300 pounds, his frame lacks girth. He is not getting power behind his blocks. Fautanu is not a people mover. It’s all right there for the world to see on the game film links below.

I am not even sold on the idea of him playing guard at the next level either.

Pass protection

Fautanu was chasing pass rushers way too often.

After initially setting up in pass protection, I can’t tell you how many times he stopped sliding his feet and instead started chasing. He was susceptible to giving up pressure through his inside gap and he was losing it through the backdoor way too often. He could also overextend at the back door of the pocket and leave himself wide open to give up pressure back inside.

Granted, Fautanu gets an A+ for effort as he often compensates for his shortcomings because he never gave up. He also shows a high football IQ.

It wasn’t always pretty, but when he did get the job done, it was often because he was so scrappy. This Washington offensive lineman lacks technique for the position of LT.

He looked out of place.

Run blocking

Fautanu had trouble sustaining run blocks and it showed up again and again.

He is fast on his feet, pulls well, and makes strong initial contact. Fautanu is best with leverage as a positional blocker.

Otherwise, he can make contact, but he tends to be able to do just barely enough or not enough and his guy gets in on the stop.

Lack of playing strength

This is going to be a real problem in the NFL at tackle or guard.

Playing offensive line at the next level requires a good deal of raw strength and Fautanu is not showing that. He is one of the weakest offensive linemen I’ve ever seen in terms of playing strength.

Someone like Eagles’ defensive tackle Jalen Carter would run over him at guard like he was a welcome mat from the dollar store.

#55 Troy Fautanu 6-foot-4, 317 pounds

Daniel Kelly’s Fall 2023 Grade: Sixth-Round (I wouldn’t select him)

Projected by 8.7% of the NFL Draft Community to be a first-round pick as of November 18, 2023 (nflmockdraftdatabase.com)

2022 game film reviewed: Oregon, UCLA, Michigan State, and Oregon State (click to view games watched to form this evaluation)

2022 stats: Fautanu, as an offensive tackle, allowed no sacks on 608 pass-blocking snaps last season (pff.com)

2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Athletic undefined frame with long arms and lacks technique in pass protection and power in the run game. Finesse unorthodox street fighter. Extremely active. Below average lateral foot speed in pass protection on the perimeter of the pocket. Lacks anchor when challenged. Battles and often got by on effort and aggression. Handled “X” stunts. Can get off balance. Looks out of control too often. Gave up pressures. Best when run blocking if he has leverage. Can move around and pull with ease. Inconsistent sustaining. Doesn’t get much movement. Looked raw.

What to watch for during the 2023 college football season

1. Is he in control of his pass blocks?

2. Giving up pressure through the inside gap and the backdoor of the pocket?

3. Did he get movement in the run game?

4. Consistently sustaining run blocks?

Daniel Kelly is a former NFL Scout with the New York Jets. He was hired on the regime which featured Bill Parcells, Bill Belichick, Scott Pioli, Mike Tannenbaum, and Dick Haley. He currently writes for Sports Illustrated New York Jets and he is the Editor-in-Chief for First Round Mock. For more information about him visit his website at whateverittakesbook.com. He can be followed on Twitter @firstroundmock.