Training Camp Position Battle: Moore vs. Fautanu; Who Will Start at RT?

The Pittsburgh Steelers made strengthening their offensive line a priority this offseason. Three of their seven picks in this past April's NFL Draft were offensive linemen, including a first-round offensive tackle, Troy Fautanu, a second-round center, Zach Frazier, and finally a fourth-round offensive guard, Mason McCormick.

All of them will have the opportunity to make an impression during training camp, but likely only two will start this coming season for the Steelers. However, don't count out the possibility of only one rookie making his first career start in Week 1, as The Athletic's Mark Kaboly recently revealed that veteran offensive tackle Dan Moore Jr. shouldn't be written off.

During a recent interview on 93.7 The Fan's "The Joe Starkey Show," Kaboly mentioned the possibility that, like last season, Moore starts over a rookie.

"It happened last year. Why wouldn't it happen again this year," Kaboly said about Moore starting over Fautanu. "There would have to be a lot of issues with how Fautanu plays and how he's acclimated, and if they go into this training camp and come out of the training camp and Dan Moore is obviously better than him, like you saw pretty significantly last year with him and Broderick Jones, at least early in the process, I mean why not?"

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Kaboly also revealed that Moore and Fautanu will compete for the starting spot at right tackle instead of left, where last year's first-round pick, Broderick Jones, is slated to start. However, should fans be concerned if the rookie out of Washington isn't the Day 1 starter for the Steelers at right tackle?

The short answer is no. As mentioned, seeing a veteran get the nod over a rookie early in the season wouldn't be a surprise. Moore beat Jones out last season for the starting spot at left tackle before the former switched to the right.

However, those thinking that Moore already has a leg up on Fautanu are actually on even ground when it comes to playing right tackle. Despite heading into his fourth year in the league, Moore has played just five snaps at right tackle for the Steelers, according to Pro Football Focus. Fautanu, meanwhile, saw just two snaps throughout his college career at right tackle.

Fautanu versus Moore is an early position battle to watch out for as the Steelers inch closer to the beginning of training camp on July 25.