Los Angeles Rams Draft Target Troy Fautanu Rising After Pro Day

The Los Angeles Rams have plenty of options for the No. 19 pick, meaning their biggest problem is exciting prospects being taken ahead of them.

Mar 3, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Washington offensive lineman Troy Fautanu (OL19) during the 2024 / Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The Los Angeles Rams – by virtue of their own roster construction and competitive window, along with the strengths of this NFL Draft class – have several quality options for the No. 19 pick. 

The most pressing need lies along the edge, where Los Angeles lacks a top-tier pass rusher, but a strong group of defensive tackles makes a lot of sense as the first pick in the post-Aaron Donald era, too.

However, an heir to quarterback Matthew Stafford is a possibility, as well. If the Rams fall in love with a second-tier quarterback, finding the next franchise quarterback may take precedence over an immediate contributor. Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. comes to mind, especially after a strong pro day.

Mar 3, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Washington offensive lineman Troy Fautanu (OL19) during the 2024 / Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Another Husky could capture general manager Les Snead’s attention. Washington offensive tackle Troy Fautanu has bounced around the first round of mock drafts for months, but may have seen his stock rise after his pro-day performance.

“Michael Penix Jr. wasn’t the only Husky to have a strong Pro Day,” Jordan Schultz tweeted. “Huskies LT Troy Fautanu ‘may be a top 10 pick after yesterday,’ one scout told me.”

Fautanu has long been considered one of the best offensive linemen in the class, which has seen several changes of the guard behind prospective OT1 Joe Alt. There were concerns about Fautanu sliding inside due to arm length falling short of some teams’ preferences, but those seem to be mitigated by his Combine measurements, where he logged 34.5-inch arms.

With Penn State’s Olu Fashanu, Oregon State’s Taliese Fuaga, Alabama’s JC Latham, and Georgia’s Amarius Mims joining Fautanu in the race to be the second lineman taken, a quality tackle falling to Los Angeles is possible.

According to Schultz, he’s on the Rams’ radar. They met with him on a private visit, as did the New York Jets, Las Vegas Raiders, Pittsburgh Steelers and Los Angeles Chargers – a range of pick No. 5 to 20.

Fautanu’s elite athleticism will translate well to any position up front, and he’s got the pass-protection reps to match. He’s earned the right to play left tackle at the next level, and with Los Angeles, would be asked to do so. After retaining right guard Kevin Dotson and acquiring left guard Jonah Jackson, Steve Avila was handed the center job. 

Left tackle Alaric Jackson is a restricted free agent and right tackle Rob Havenstein isn’t getting any younger, so there’s a path to playing time, too. Adding another first-round talent to a unit that exceeded expectations last season and already got better this offseason would make the offense an even more imposing force, even if it means sacrificing upside on the other side of the ball.