Mel Kiper: ‘Could make an argument’ for Troy Fautanu being best OL in 2024 NFL Draft

There are plenty of talented offensive linemen available in the 2024 NFL Draft. That includes Troy Fautanu out of Washington, who Mel Kiper thinks could be the best offensive lineman in the entire draft.

Fautanu came up while Mel Kiper and Field Yates were debating offensive tackles like Joe Alt, JC Latham, and Olu Fashanu, who are expected to be high picks, during an episode of First Draft.

“Who is the number one consensus tackle? I’m with you, but I’ll say this, Troy Fautanu is a guy if you think he can play tackle, great,” Mel Kiper said. “If he’s a guard. Field, I’ll let you go, do your thing, Troy Fautanu, you could make an argument is the best overall offensive lineman in this draft.”

Coming into the NFL Combine, there were questions for Fautanu to answer. The most notable, as Field Yates explained, came down to his measurables. However, once he made the grade there, it’s easy to see why teams would love him.

“What was the big question for Troy Fautanu coming into the combine…were his arms long enough? Does he have enough of a wingspan to be a professional left tackle? At 34-and-a-half-inch arms, over an 81-inch wingspan, and I’ll put it this way, both good enough. If it’s 33 or 33-and-a-half-inch arms, maybe it’s a different conversation, but that inch can make a difference here, Mel. His length, his wingspan, and as you and I both know, the feet are just ridiculous,” Yates said.

“Maybe, maybe Tyler Guyton gets there for having the best feet in this entire offensive tackle class one day, but right now, if we’re playing a football game tomorrow, and by the way, I want guys that can help me win right away, Fautanu has the best feet of any offensive lineman in this entire class and I think solidified the possibility of him being a left tackle and maybe the second offensive tackle off the board.”

Troy Fautanu went to Washington as a four-star recruit in the Class of 2019, according to the On3 Industry Ranking. He was the 32nd-ranked offensive tackle in the class.

During his time at Washington, Fautanu played for three different coaches — Chris Petersen, Jimmy Lake, and Kalen DeBoer. Twice, he was an All-Pac-12 performer on the Huskies’ offensive line. In 2023, his time at Washington culminated with a Pac-12 championship, a trip to the College Football Playoff, and being awarded the Joe Moore Award, as a member of the nation’s best offensive line.