With questions surrounding exactly what the Green Bay Packers offensive line will look like in 2024, there’s a need to add to the position group in the upcoming draft. Given his exceptional athleticism and positional versatility, Troy Fautanu from the University of Washington would be a dream selection for Brian Gutekunst at No. 25. However, an outstanding NFL Combine for Fautanu may mean that Green Bay will need to move up in the first round if they want to get him.
Following the 2023 season, none of Green Bay’s offensive line positions are absolutely nailed down heading into 2024. Zach Tom and Elgton Jenkins will be starters, but where exactly they slot in remains to be seen. Rasheed Walker is the leading candidate at left tackle, but the Packers haven’t officially moved on from David Bakhtiari yet. Josh Myers and Jon Runyan Jr. may or may not have played their final snaps in Green Bay. A few things are still in flux, and there’s a need to add to the position group as a whole.
Fautanu stands just 6’4″ and weighs 312 lbs. but had an outstanding career with the Huskies, primarily at left tackle. He won the Morris Trophy for the best offensive lineman in the Pac-12 last season, and he has enough size that scouts think he could still succeed at tackle while perhaps being best suited at guard.
Fautanu’s elite athleticism is one of the main reasons that many believe people believe in his versatility. He ran the 40 in 5.01 seconds and displayed exceptional vertical and broad jumps. His NFL.com scouting report refers to him as a “ready-made brawler without an ounce of finesse,” crediting his tenacity and footwork for his ability to excel. His weaknesses lie more in technique and hand placement, which are coachable. He already has the things that can’t be taught, like athleticism and demeanor, which is a huge positive heading into the league.
Whether or not Gutekunst looks directly at a prospect’s Relative Athletic Score, there’s often a clear correlation between a high RAS and the players that end up on the Packers. Fautanu posted a RAS of 9.45, which would be right in line with Zach Tom, Elgton Jenkins, and even Yosh Nijman, who forged a utility based on his athleticism and versatility.
Green Bay has not drafted an offensive lineman in the first round since selecting Bryan Bulaga and Derek Sherrod 23rd and 32nd overall, respectively, in 2010 and 2011. The Packers took Jenkins with the 44th-overall pick in 2019, but taking Fautanu would be a slight change in philosophy for Gutekunst. People commonly believe a team should use their top selection on a “premium position,” usually a quarterback, cornerback, edge rusher, and tackle. Gutekunst has taken every position but an offensive lineman with his first pick in the draft. Since the Packers hired him in 2018, Gutekunst has selected Jaire Alexander and Eric Stokes at corner, Rashan Gary, Quay Walker, and Lukas Van Ness as edge rushers, and Jordan Love at quarterback. The time certainly feels right to select an elite tackle.
But Fautanu may not be available to the Packers at pick No. 25. After his stellar combine, most mock drafts have him off the board before Gutekunst can turn in a card. The Athletic‘s Dane Brugler slots him in at 21 to the Miami Dolphins, and ESPN’s Jordan Reid of ESPN.com has Fautanu going to the Dallas Cowboys at 24, one pick before the Packers. It’s one thing if Fautanu flies off the board in the mid-teens. But considering Gutekunst has 11 selections in this year’s draft. It would be a shame to lose out on Fautanu because Green Bay couldn’t move up a couple of spots.
Fautanu will turn 24 shortly into his rookie season, and he appears to have the makeup to play immediately in the NFL. Whether it’s immediately at a bookend or starting off at guard, there’s room for his skillset on Green Bay’s offensive line. Adding to Jenkins and Tom’s positional versatility helps provide the necessary depth and flexibility for the group with the all-important task of protecting Jordan Love. Fautanu falling into the Packers’ lap at No. 25 would be a dream scenario because he has all the makings of a prototypical Gutekunst successful draft pick.
