The New Orleans Saints have had a clear focus in their last two draft classes, and that is at the tackle position, selecting both Taliese Fuaga and Kelvin Banks Jr. in the first round to try and shore up their offensive line around Erik McCoy. After a strong rookie season from Fuaga, he may now be in line to move once again back to his collegiate position at right tackle, and if he does, it will be intriguing to see if he is able to improve even further by doing so.
In a recent article from PFF analysts Max Chadwick and Dalton Wasserman, they discussed a few aspects for each team entering the 2025 season, including the biggest strength, weakness, X-factor player, and rookie to watch. When it came to their selection for the Saints’ X-factor this year, they made Fuaga their answer for the following reasons:
“One step toward greater success for the Saints’ offensive line would be a second-year breakout from Taliese Fuaga. His 65.7 PFF overall grade last season was a solid mark, considering he was playing left tackle, where he never played a single snap in college. With 2025 first-rounder Kelvin Banks Jr. in the fold, Fuaga may move back to his more comfortable position at right tackle.”
The move back to right tackle would be one that may mess up his momentum, or may return him to elite form from college, which is about the expectation given how often the Saints seem to do this. An offensive line from left to right of Fuaga, Trevor Penning/Dillon Radunz, Erik McCoy, Cesar Ruiz, and Kelvin Banks Jr. is a solid one, and one that would likely allow each player to have an opportunity in what may be their most optimal position as well.
