The New Orleans Saints offensive line faces uncertainty as their offensive line got weaker during the offseason. Andrus Peat departed in free agency, James Hurst retired, Ryan Ramczyk’s future is in doubt, and Trevor Penning has struggled at left tackle in his first two seasons.
The starting C and RG spots are locks, while LT, LG, and RT are up for grabs.
Their 1st-round pick is getting reps at a new position.
The New Orleans Saints’ 1st-round pick is getting reps at a new position
The Saints drafted Taliese Fuaga 14th overall in the 2024 NFL Draft. Fuaga played college football for the Oregon State Beavers and played every snap at right tackle. He got reps at left tackle during rookie minicamp.
Their head coach explained why they put him at left tackle.
Their head coach explained why they put Taliese Fuaga at LT
“I think we want to take a look at him on the left side and see how he does over there. I think we’re pretty confident that he can play right tackle. So getting him some work over on the left side, I think is important, and then we’ll evaluate it as we go and see how he does,” Allen said.
“I think it’s more about, let’s see if he can play left tackle or not. And let’s get him over here on the left side and get him some work there, he hadn’t had a lot of work on the left side. None in game action, you know? So get him some reps over there and see what he can do.” Allen said.
Taliese Fuaga is willing to play wherever
“I think they just saw me as a fit,” Fuaga said. “They’re trying me at left but I’m ready to play whatever, whatever coach DA wants me at. He’s trying me at different positions.”
There are two reasons why Fuaga getting reps at LT makes sense.
Reason 1
The first reason is that Trevor Penning has struggled at left tackle in his first two seasons. Penning missed the first 11 games of the 2022 season because of a turf toe injury to his left foot. He returned, played the last six games, and started the season-finale but suffered a Lisfranc injury to his right foot.
Penning started the first five games at LT during his second season but struggled, and the Saints benched him.
Because the Saints don’t have Peat or Hurst to bail him out, Fuaga could end up at LT if Penning struggles.
Reason 2
The second reason is the uncertainty of Ryan Ramczyk’s future. Ramczyk has dealt with cartilage loss in his left knee over the past three seasons, and it’s unclear whether he will ever play in the NFL again.
If Ramczyk can play in 2024, Fuaga would likely start over Penning at left tackle.
It would be beneficial for Fuaga to get reps now rather than being thrown into the fire during the regular season with zero practice reps and having difficulty adapting.
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