Prospect Preview: is Taliese Fuaga the answer for the Saints at tackle?

Offensive tackle is a position that the New Orleans Saints must address this offseason. With the future uncertain for Trevor Penning and Ryan Ramcyzk the Saints should prioritize finding their tackle of the future this offseason. If they choose to do this during the draft, Taliese Fuaga would be an amazing fit.

Taliese Fuaga has an elite frame to be a star NFL tackle, standing at 6-foot-6 and 334 pounds. That size doesn’t slow him down either. Fuaga is an extremely explosive player and is super athletic. He is a fabulous run blocker and possesses the speed needed to get to the second level. Once he is as the second level, he turns into a headhunter as he looks for people to hit. Once he finds them, it's common that he will put them on the ground.

It would not be an exaggeration to call Fuaga the best run blocker in this year’s draft. Oregon State ran a zone running scheme last year and this is a system that the Saints are likely to implement following the hire of Klint Kubiak at offensive coordinator. Fuaga has thrived in the system before and there aren’t any indications that he wouldn’t in the NFL.

In addition to Fuaga being an outstanding run blocker, he also has produced as a pass blocker in college. In the past two years Fuaga has totalled 1,510 total snaps. In those snaps, he hasn’t allowed a single sack. Fuaga has poweful hands and once those hands get on a defender, it's tough for the defender to break free.

One of the only questions surrounding Fuaga is his footwork on certain plays. He tends to lack a little occasionally, allowing the defender to break free. Footwork is something that he will develop as he gets more and more reps in the NFL.

Taliese Fuaga would be an absolutely amazing pick for the New Orleans Saints in this year's draft. With the Saints offensive line desperately needing help this pick would secure the Saints a player with potential to be a franchise tackle for them.

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