DETROIT — The New Orleans Saints selected All-American offensive tackle Taliese Fuaga with the 14th overall pick in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft on Thursday night.
Fuaga is a 6-foot-6, 324-pound behemoth out of Oregon State who recorded a 5.13 40-yard dash and a 32-inch vertical jump at the NFL Combine last month.
The Washington native started all 12 games for the Beavers in 2023 and earned first-team All-America honors from the Football Writers Association of America, CBS Sports, ESPN, Pro Football Focus and Phil Steele.
Fuaga was also named second-team All-American by the Associated Press, American Football Coaches Association, Walter Camp, The Sporting News, The Athletic and USA Today.
The Saints entered the draft in urgent need of adding depth to a depleted offensive line that just took another critical hit earlier in the week following the retirement of 10-year veteran James Hurst.
Factoring in the uncertainty surrounding 2017 first-round selection Ryan Ramczyk and his return to right tackle from offseason knee surgery, as well as the question mark hovering over struggling 2022 first-rounder, Trevor Penning, at left tackle.
Over the course of the team's 57-year history, the Saints have taken 12 offensive linemen in the first round, including nine offensive tackles – three of which since Andrus Peat was selected 13th overall out of Stanford in 2013.
Aside from Ramczyk and Penning during that timespan, Cesar Ruiz was taken 24th overall as a center from Michigan in 2020. The 24-year-old Ruiz has since transitioned to offensive guard alongside Pro Bowl center Erik McCoy, 26.
Saints head coach Dennis Allen spoke with Fuaga over the phone prior to the pick.
"We're on the clock here... and we're about to draft you," Allen told Fuaga, who was in Hawaii during the draft. "I can't wait to get you here. You are a tough S.O.B. and that's what I love about you... and that's the way we're gonna play."
During the post-draft media conference, Allen further referred to Fuaga as a "culture builder-type personality" who he described as a "pretty polished player" who is big, athletic and extremely physical.
Fuaga shared his excitement following his selection.
"I looked at my agent and I was staring like 'do I answer this?'," Fuaga told media after being picked. "I answered the phone and it's kinda hard holding emotions back. You know, I'm not the biggest guy in showing my emotions, but it's hard to hold back after you get a call like that.
"My thing is it ain't always about the money," he continued. "I'm trying to carry my last name to the very top."
Last season, Saints quarterback Derek Carr was sacked 31 times, placing him in a tie for 14th in the NFL for the number times sacked. New Orleans also ranked 21st in the NFL in yards rushing.
Here are the nine picks the Saints have in this year's draft:
- Round 1, Pick 14 – Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State
- Round 2, Pick 45 (via DEN) - acquired in the Sean Payton trade
- Round 5, Pick 150
- Round 5, Pick 168 - compensatory selections
- Round 5, Pick 170 - compensatory selections
- Round 5, Pick 175 - compensatory selections
- Round 6, Pick 190
- Round 6, Pick 199 (via PHI) - acquired in the Chauncey Gardner-Johnson
- Round 7, Pick 239 (via DEN) - acquired in the Wil Lutz trade
The Saints do not currently have a third or fourth-round pick. They traded their 2024 second-round pick in 2022 for Trevor Penning, and this year's third-round pick was included in the Sean Payton trade.
Three of the fifth-round picks are compensatory selections.
The second and third rounds will be held on Friday and the last three rounds will take place on Saturday, April 27.
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