Troy Fautanu — NFL Mock Draft Roundup 1.0

The Seahawks continue to add young talent to their offensive line. Fautanu would slide right in at guard in Seattle and can play tackle in a pinch.

Left tackle Tyron Smith is scheduled to hit free agency at 33 years old. He played very well this past season, but Dallas should explore its options. Tyler Smith was picked in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft. He was called into left tackle duty when Smith was injured. The team could go back down that route, which creates a void at one of the starting offensive guard spots opposite Zack Martin. Fautanu has played left tackle for Washington but projects inside at the next level.

Fautanu is a masher at tackle and could even slide inside to deal with squattier defensive tackles.

The Buccaneers bolster their offensive line with Troy Fautanu to anchor the right side of the offensive line and serve as a solid option opposite Tristan Wirfs.

The Packers haven't drafted a first-round offensive lineman in more than a dozen years (2011), but I really like this fit. A college left tackle, Fautanu has the feet and length to stay outside, but a lot of scouts feel his skill set is ideally suited at guard.

Tackle/guard versatile, there's one word that comes to mind with Troy Fautanu: Footwork. It doesn't matter if you're playing football, hockey, or friggin' cricket, the ability to slide, anchor, and stop the feet of edge rushers at 235 pounds or 265 pounds is a unique ability. Trent Williams teased retirement after the NFC title game last year—if the Niners were to win it all, he could go out on top. Whether Williams is back or not, Fautanu has the position flexibility to immediately slide in and make an impact.

With plenty of positional versatility, Troy Fautanu fills a need on the Seattle Seahawks offensive line just fine where he is. Fautanu is a mauler with more than just a physical presence.

He'll get out in front of the run game with quick feet and finish any defender at any level.

Starting guards John Simpson and Kevin Zeitler will both be free agents in March. Fautanu's heavy hands and impressive athleticism has been on display at tackle for the Huskies the last two seasons, but less-than-ideal arm length might cause a team to kick him inside at the next level. Regardless, he has Pro Bowl-level talent.

D.J. Humphries' future is up in the air, especially after he tore his ACL in the final month of the season. The expectation for the Cardinals is that Paris Johnson Jr. will kick over to left tackle, but Arizona desperately needs help on the interior offensive line.

Fautanu was a left tackle at Washington, but he best projects as a guard in the NFL. His size and athleticism would be welcomed in Arizona as the Cardinals try to rebuild the offensive line in front of Kyler Murray.

There is a lot of chatter about Fautanu, a college left tackle, kicking inside at the next level. He kept Michael Penix upright while also anchoring the Huskies rushing attack. Seattle could use interior help and no matter where he ultimately lands on an NFL offensive line, he has the talent to warrant a top 20 selection.

Damien Lewis and Phil Haynes are both free agents, so help along the offensive line, especially at guard, will be needed in Seattle. Some scouts project Fautanu as a tackle, where he primarily played at Washington, but he's my top-rated interior lineman. Perhaps he'll start out as a tackle, but I see him as a plug-and-play guard at the next level, especially with Charles Cross and Abraham Lucas locked into the Seahawks' lineup. Fautanu is a sudden and physical blocker who plays with aggressive hands, and his positional flexibility would give Seattle some insurance in case injuries hit the OL again.

If the 49ers come up short in the playoffs, it'll either be because of the offensive line or the secondary.