Which player is due for a big season in New Orleans?
Dalton Wasserman, an analyst with Pro Football Focus, has listed New Orleans Saints tackle Taliese Fuaga as one of six offensive linemen with a chance to have a standout season in 2025. Wasserman had this to say about the second-year pro:
T Taliese Fuaga, New Orleans Saints
Speaking of 2024 first-round picks who changed positions, Fuaga adjusted reasonably well to the NFL despite playing left tackle, where he didn’t log a single snap in three years at Oregon State.
Fuaga’s 65.7 PFF overall grade in 2024 was a top-50 mark among qualified tackles and a top-five mark among rookie tackles. Aside from playing a new position, Fuaga also had to adjust to the rotating cast of characters on New Orleans’ offensive line. Five players took snaps next to him at left guard, and four players lined up at center. Fuaga’s durability was one of the few constants for the Saints’ offense.
New Orleans drafted a new bookend for Fuaga this season in Kelvin Banks Jr. The rookie is expected to play his natural left tackle position, allowing Fuaga to move back to right tackle. While he was steadily improving on the left side, earning a 90.0-plus PFF pass-blocking grade in two of his final four games, Fuaga should have an easy time transitioning back to the right side.
During his two years as a starter at Oregon State, Fuaga was the highest-graded right tackle in the nation. His stellar run blocking was key, particularly in zone schemes. That production held in his rookie campaign, as his 75.1 zone PFF run-blocking grade ranked 26th among qualified tackles, one spot behind fellow rookie Joe Alt. Kellen Moore’s zone run scheme is slightly different from Klint Kubiak’s, but Fuaga should have no problem making the transition both to his natural position and to a new play caller.
Fuaga should enjoy having a younger counterpart filling the left tackle position this year as well as more solidified play on the interior of the line. Training camp should give the Saints some clear indicators as to how truly improved the offensive line can be this season.
Other names listed in PFF’s article include Joe Alt (LAC), Matthew Bergeron (ATL), Christian Mohogany (DET), Joe Tippmann (NYJ), and Jackson Powers-Johnson (LV).
What are your thoughts on Fuaga’s upcoming campaign? Do you agree with him having improved play at his primary position? Let us know in the comments below.
