How will Taliese Fuaga fit in with Saints in 2024?

With the 14th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, the New Orleans Saints selected Taliese Fuaga, the tackle out of Oregon State. Fuaga will have a tremendous impact on the Saints. With Ryan Ramczyk’s future in the NFL in serious question, due to his knee injury, Fuaga gives the Saints an amazing option to play at right tackle.

In the past two years at Oregon State, Fuaga hasn’t allowed a single sack. He uses his elite frame (6’6, 324 pounds) to obtain leverage and use his power to push the opposing defenders away. Fuaga also contains extreme athleticism. In the run game, Fuaga has a nasty streak, he turns into a mauler, looking to knock the nearest defender over. He has the needed speed to get to the second level, once he does, the defender usually ends up on the ground. 

Oregon State runs primarily a zone running scheme. That is a similar scheme to what the Saints will implement under Klint Kubiak. This will make his transition to the next level even easier.

Taliese Fuaga contains a level of versatility that should benefit the Saints going into next year. A lot of NFL scouts think that he will be able to make the transition to a guard if the Saints desire to. This gives them a good option if Ryan Ramczyk makes a miraculous recovery.

This pick will make a massive difference for the Saints next year. Fuaga shores up the right tackle position, which was in serious question. The Saints offense has immense potential next year under Klint Kubiak. They had great momentum at the end of last year; they also have amazing pieces such as Chris Olave, Rashid Shaheed, Alvin Kamara, and Derek Carr to build upon. The thing that was holding the offense back the most was the offensive line. Fuaga should come in and instantly make a difference in 2024.

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