CINCINNATI — Much has been made of the two behemoths the Cincinnati Bengals are planning on starting in 2024 in Orlando Brown Jr. and Trenton Brown, both of whom are 6’8″.
If the Bengals were to draft the University of Washington’s Troy Fautanu, the discussion would be taken in another direction.
Fautanu is 6’4″ and 317 pounds. The last Cincinnati tackle to start at least eight games at tackle in a season while standing 6’4″ or shorter and weighing 317 or less was Bruce Kozerski (6’4″, 287 pounds) in 1994.
That’s why many teams are viewing Fautanu not as a tackle with guard versatility but strictly as a guard.
Cincinnati Bengals Draft Preview: Get To Know Washington OL Troy Fautanu
- Height: 6’4″
- Weight: 317 pounds
- Position: Offensive Lineman
- School: Washington
- Current Year: Redshirt Senior
- Age: 23 (Oct. 11, 2000)
- PFN Big Board Ranking: No. 24 overall, No. 7 OT
Why He’s a First-Round Talent
Fautanu was a two-year starter at Washington, with all but one of his starts coming at left tackle, which was the non-blindside for left-handed quarterback Michael Pennix Jr.
The other start was at left guard.
Fautanu was a first-team All-Pac-12 member in 2023 and a third-team All-American.
A four-star recruit out of high school, Fautanu was a part of former UW head coach Chris Peterson’s final recruiting class, which also included wide receiver Puka Nacua, cornerback Trent McDuffie, and 2024 expected first-round pick Laiatu Latu.
MORE: Bengals Need a Tackle, But Which Ones Are the Best Fit With Guard Versatility?
Scouts rave about his explosiveness, footwork, and temperament, which is one of the first things Fautanu talked about during his interview at the Combine.
“There’s only one way to play O-line, and that’s nasty,” he said. “It’s just every day practicing being violent with your hands and just trying to be explosive of the ball. You just have to put your will on the other guy. You’ve got to dominate. That’s my whole mindset every single play. And more times than not, I feel like I’m doing my best to finish guys.”
PFN Draft Analyst Ian Cummings raved about the Washinton product’s room to grow in his scouting profile of Fautanu.
“Troy Fautanu grades out as a top-50 prospect in the 2024 NFL Draft on my board and one of the top interior offensive line candidates in the class. He has one of the more unique physical builds in the 2024 NFL Draft. He may measure in a notch under 6’4″, and yet, he has exceptional mass and proportional length and moves very well for his size — particularly as a short-area and lateral mover.
“Fautanu has all of the necessary athletic components, and he’s also incredibly flexible and nimble in recovery. Beyond those tools, he’s one of the best pass protectors in the class — possessing balance, leverage, adaptable footwork, active and violent hands, and sharp processing speed.”
The Versatility Question
Fautanu knew the teams he talked to at the Combine would be asking him about making the switch to guard.
And he knew he had to say the right thing, even if he made it pretty clear it would not be his preference.
On the latest PFN #Bengals podcast, @DallasDRobinson and I use the PFN Mock Draft Simulator to run 4 mocks in real time.
One starts OT, then DT, then WR, then a trade back to explore the different paths.
Let us know which you like best in the comments:https://t.co/LZn3vcGncM— Jay Morrison (@ByJayMorrison) April 10, 2024
“I’ve had that question in all of my interviews,” he said. “The easy answer for me is to say ‘tackle is where I’m most comfortable. I’ve played there the last four years.’
“But at the same time, I’m more than willing to bump inside and play whatever position they ask me to. I feel like I’m the most versatile offensive lineman in this draft class, and I’ll add value to any organization.”
KEEP READING: Byron Murphy II vs. Johnny Newton — If the Bengals Go DT at No. 18, Who Should It Be?
One of the reasons Fautanu said he prefers to play tackle is that he feels as though he is at his best playing out in space.
“I feel like that’s something that separates me is ability to move out in space, whether it’s pulling on a counter play or getting out on a screen or simply blocking somebody out in space one on one,” he said. “That’s where I excel.
Weighing the Weaknesses in Fautanu’s Game
Aside from his less-than-ideal size for a tackle, a few other nicks in Fautanu’s profile will need to be addressed in the NFL.
Cummings touched on several in his scouting report.
- Explosive capacity off the snap might be a notch below the elite mark.
- Doesn’t always have the quantifiably elite core strength to totally suffocate bull rushes.
- Hands don’t always carry elite knock-back force, sometimes failing to jar opponents.
- Sometimes pulls in his back leg too much extending versus power, inhibiting balance.
- Occasionally shortens the corner too much off the snap, allowing easy paths outside.
- On occasion, can be a bit uncontrolled when matching vertically, losing his balance.
- Placement with outside hand can be more precise at times in order to better corral rushers.
- At times, can be a tick late recorrecting outside when blitz threats inside draw attention.
- Will turn 24 years old in October of his rookie year.
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