Klint Kubiak explains why he believes Taliese Fuaga will help the Saints as a rookie

As typically the case with football teams, the success for the New Orleans Saints in 2024 will likely hinge on the success of their offensive line. With the team’s desire to establish a dominant run game, and of course keep Derek Carr clean, the rebuilt offensive line will have to perform much better than it did a season ago.

While all eyes will be on the unit as a whole, everyone will be paying close attention to rookie Taliese Fuaga. Fuaga, who was selected with the 14th-overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, is facing an incredibly tough challenge. After playing right tackle in college, the Saints are hoping that Fuaga will be able to start at left tackle as a rookie. Not only is he switching positions, but he’s being asked to be a rookie starter at one of the most challenging positions for a team entering a make-or-break season.

New Orleans, however, is confident that Fuaga is up for the task. New offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak spoke with the media during mandatory minicamp and explained that Fuaga is simply made of the right stuff. Understanding how he’s built, not just physically, the Saints believe the rookie is up for the task he’s facing.

Klint Kubiak says Taliese Fuaga is made of the right stuff

Kubiak expressed that Fuaga has been impressive already throughout the offseason, but admitted that everything changes once the pads are on. That’s when the test really begins— when things get physical. Not only will Fuaga have to prove that he can stay up to speed mentally with an NFL offense, he’ll have to prove that he has the physicality to handle NFL trenches.

One benefit that Fuaga has is playing in Klint Kubiak’s offense. It’s an offense that’s a derivative of the Shanahan Scheme and is believed to be offensive line friendly. Between the scheme, and Fuaga being made of the right stuff, the Saints should be able to count on him during his rookie season.

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