Offensive linemen continue to come off the board and the Saints have unsurprisingly added up front. With the 14th overall pick, New Orleans has selected Oregon State’s Taliese Fuaga.
Fuaga made a big jump in his fourth year in Corvallis. After a pretty good redshirt sophomore season with the Beavers, Fuaga exploded onto the scene in 2023, grading out as Pro Football Focus’ second-best tackle in the nation. The first-team All-American has the size, strength and balance to be an immediate starter at the NFL level and many scouts thought he may play best as a guard, showing the versatility he brings as a prospect.
In New Orleans, they will value that versatility. With the retirement of guard James Hurst and the free agency of tackle Andrus Peat, the Saints are looking to replace two starters on the offensive line. The team drafted Trevor Penning in the first round two years ago with the hope that he may eventually take over at offensive tackle. If Penning fails to win the starting job, the Saints could opt to plug in Fuaga. If the team has faith in Penning, though, Fuaga may find his way inside to guard as a rookie starter, regardless.
Fuaga is the fourth offensive tackle off the board at No. 14 overall, which aligns pretty well with where he was ranked by most draft pundits. Fuaga becomes the Beavers’ highest draft pick since quarterback Terry Baker was taken first overall in 1963 and the school’s first first-round pick since Brandin Cooks in 2014.
Ely Allen contributed to this post.
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