Saints take Oregon State offensive tackle Taliese Fuaga 14th overall in the NFL Draft
METAIRIE, La. (AP) — The New Orleans Saints selected Oregon State offensive tackle Taliese Fuaga with the 14th overall pick in the NFL Draft on Thursday night.
The 6-foot-6, 324-pound Fuaga, who was named first-team All-Pac-12 last season, joins a Saints squad that entered the draft needing bodies on the offensive line, particularly at offensive tackle.
Trevor Penning, the second of two 2022 first-round picks by New Orleans, was unable to hold on to a starting role at left tackle last season. His replacement in the lineup, Andrus Peat, remains a free agent.
Meanwhile, the health of right tackle Ryan Ramczyk is in doubt after he underwent surgery in hopes of addressing a nagging knee injury that has bothered him for much of the past couple seasons and limited his practice time even when he remained in the lineup.
Additionally, versatile lineman James Hearst, who normally plays guard but has filled in at tackle, has decided to retire.