Latest news with #Fuaga
USA Today
27-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Top offensive tackle prospect's Pro Day measurements could push talent down to the Saints
Top offensive tackle prospect's Pro Day measurements could push talent down to the Saints LSU offensive tackle Will Campbell's arm length is one of the more impactful measurements in the top-10 of the NFL draft. At the NFL Scouting Combine, he was measured with 32 5/8 inch arms. There were already discussions about him having short arms. For many, that number solidified Campbell as a guard at the next level. An updated measurement at LSU pro day gives Campbell 33 inch arms. While still shorter than the preferred 34 inches, teams are more willing accept a tackle with 33 inch arms. The New Orleans Saints selected Taliese Fuaga in the first round last year. His 33 1/8 inch arms are slightly longer than Campbell, and Fuaga had a great rookie season. How does this impact the Saints? Campbell's new arm length measurement puts him back into the top-10, top-5 conversations. While many mock drafts never dropped him from this status, there would be the question of positional value that high if Campbell was regarded as a guard. With 33 inch arms, it becomes more likely someone will view him as a tackle and draft him early. Campbell's exclusion from the top-10 could have resulted in a player at a greater position of need going off the board. The Saints are at an odd place, where there aren't many names you feel comfortable saying will be there at ninth overall with confidence. Names like Jalon Walker, Tetairoa McMillan, Will Johnson and Mason Graham are all players who may or may not be on the board when the Saints pick. The more players who go ahead of players like that the better for New Orleans. This is unless the Saints decide they want add an offensive tackle to put alongside Fuaga and have their duo of the future. Right now, it seems like they want to give Penning a chance to prove himself.
USA Today
30-01-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Saints given different rookie tackle in 2024 first round re-draft
The New Orleans Saints had some success with their first round pick Taliese Fuaga last season, but would they still go with him if given another chance today? That's the hypothetical that Bleacher Report's Gary Davenport looked at in his recent re-do of the 2024 NFL draft. For the Saints, they now decided to go with Olu Fashanu out of the Penn State Nittany Lions. Here is what Davenport had to say about the pick: Fashanu didn't play as much as some of the other Round 1 tackles after being drafted 11th overall by the Jets. But in 534 snaps per Pro Football Focus, Fashanu surrendered just a single sack. Fashanu was originally off the board, but the New York Jets now selected J.J. McCarthy this time around. While Fashanu was certainly a more highly-touted prospect than Fuaga at the time, there is an argument to be made that it would be the other way around right now. Fuaga fell to the No. 18 pick (Cincinnati Bengals) in this do-over. For someone that didn't play the position in college, Fuaga did a nice job at left tackle for New Orleans. It wasn't perfect, but there was plenty to like about his performance. He allowed two or less pressures in 11 games, flashing some real talent at times. It's not that Fashanu was bad, it's just that there is no reason for the Saints to be unhappy with their original selection.
