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 Wednesday retirement of guard James Hurst and the free agency status of guard-turned-tackle Andrus Peat, the Saints are looking to replace two starters on the offensive line. Stalwart right tackle Ryan Ramczyk‘s season is also in jeopardy, after a knee injury became a big-picture concern last year.
The team drafted Trevor Penning in the first round two years ago with the hope that he may eventually take over at offensive tackle. The Northern Iowa alum has failed to become a reliable NFL blocker. Penning failing to win the starting LT job this year could prompt the Saints 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 he’s the school’s first first-round pick since Brandin Cooks in 2014.
Ely Allen contributed to this post.
As good of a pick at that spot as they could have made. He’d better be ready, because he has to step in right away.