NFL training camp 2024: Former Oregon State Beavers star Taliese Fuaga earning rave reviews with the New Orleans Saints

The New Orleans Saints view Taliese Fuaga as so talented they decided to see if he’s capable of playing at left tackle after playing primarily at right tackle in college. The Saints informed Fuaga they were considering swapping him with left tackle Trevor Penning before they used their first-round pick (No. 14) to select him in the 2024 NFL draft.

Fuaga has been a quick study and has impressed the coaching staff and his teammates during training camp.

“As long as I’ve been here, I think he is the best offensive lineman that I have seen,” Saints veteran center Erik McCoy told reporters Saturday. “Just as far as his mental, physical and I think Tali is a freakin’ dog. I’m a fan already.”

Fuaga’s ability to slide into the left tackle position has prompted McCoy to talk in superlatives about the rookie. McCoy said he thinks the former Oregon State Beavers’ star could play anywhere on the offensive line.

“The guy is a (freakin’) natural. I truly believe he can play all four – he can’t play center – all four positions on the line and be a dog. I think he’s gonna be that good of a football player,” McCoy told reporters. “I don’t want to build him up too much and I don’t want to project what I’m feeling on him. I think he’s gonna be a lock down. He’s way better than I was as a rookie.”

The difference between left and right tackle is significant. Instead of facing second-tier edge rushers, he’ll face the best edge rushers in the NFL while protecting quarterback Derek Carr’s blind side.