Saints NFL Draft grades: Experts are a fan of Taliese Fuaga selection

With the 14th pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, the New Orleans Saints selected Taliese Fuaga out of Oregon State. The writing was on the wall for the Saints to take an offensive tackle in the first round and it appears that they got a solid one in Fuaga.

How are the draft pundits grading the Fuaga pick? Let's look at a few different sites and see how they graded the Saints' first-round selection.

2024 NFL Draft: What grades did the Saints get for Taliese Fuaga selection?

PFF: Good

PFF didn't give letter grades but went on a scale ranging from Elite all the way to Below Average. They were fond of NOLA's pick of Fuaga and especially like what Fuaga can offer as a run-blocker. Saints fans have to be excited hearing that.

"New Orleans needed to address the tackle position amid questions surrounding Ryan Ramczyk’s health and a disappointing start to Trevor Penning’s career. There’s a lot to like about Fuaga as a run blocker, coming off an elite 90.9 PFF run-blocking grade for Oregon State in 2023."

- PFF

Pete Prisco, CBS Sports: B+

As Prisco noted, Fuaga fills a need for New Orleans and can make an immediate impact. He seems to really love the pick so I'm surprised he only gave them a B+ rather than an A-.

"He fills a major need for the Saints. They have big-time tackle issues. Fuaga is a nasty player who will start right away. Love it. "

- Pete Prisco

The Athletic: A

The Athletic loved the Saints drafting Fuaga and pointed out how the run on quarterbacks helped NOLA get the guy they wanted here. They note that this was an excellent value pick for the Saints and should help their tackle woes.

"Fuaga (6-5, 324) was dominant at times on the Beavers’ right side last season, as arguably the best run blocker in the country. This is a culture pick as much as anything else, too — Fuaga will help improve the team’s overall toughness up front. Great value for the Saints in the middle of the first round."

- The Athletic