Exactly 29 years and three days after drafting Mark Bruener with the 27th pick of the first round, the Steelers went back to the University of Washington for a second Huskies first-rounder – offensive tackle Troy Fautanu.
Bruener, in fact, scouted Fautanu for the Steelers.
“He’s a Steelers-type player,” said Bruener. “His toughness is something that really stands out. His personality is one that will fit into our building appropriately. We were very lucky to get him.”
If anyone knows “a Steelers-type player,” it’s Bruener. Not only did the tight end make 137 catches for 1,197 yards and 16 touchdowns in his eight seasons with the team, his 57 percent catch rate was better than highly drafted Steelers wide receivers Santonio Holmes, Charles Johnson, Plaxico Burress, and, of course, Limas Sweed.
Bruener was an even better blocker. In fact, he very well could have been the first to
