Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
By Ross Jackson
If the New Orleans Saints want to take a noticeable step forward with their new offensive approach in 2025 and beyond, they’ll need the help of a strong offensive line.
In three of the last four NFL Drafts, the Saints have taken a potential starting tackle in the first round. Trevor Penning struggled to stay healthy after being drafted in 2022. He then shifted positions twice and will now be working in the interior, a spot where he feels very comfortable thus far.
This year, the Saints selected Texas tackle Kelvin Banks Jr., who is supremely talented and expected to become the team’s next starting left tackle.
Meanwhile, 2024 first-rounder Taliese Fuaga moves back to his collegiate right tackle position after impressively manning his rookie year role at left tackle. Fuaga’s return to the position that got him drafted No. 14 overall is an important shift for the Saints.
If New Orleans gets the play they are confident in with Banks at left tackle and Fuaga repeats his fast start moving back to right tackle, the Saints have two of the most important positions on their offense set for the foreseeable future.
.@Saints @Taliese1 v @Browns @Flash_Garrett the Saints had a great gameplan v the DPOY but when Fuaga went head to head with Flash he played very well. #BaldysBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/CT7wm68qfE
— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) November 20, 2024
To walk away with a starting tandem of talented tackles that are on rookie and second-year tracks would be a massive win for the Saints and put them in a very valuable position of cost controlled spending at both spots, a starting quarterback on a rookie deal and a top edge rusher that’s already on a new deal of just $17 million per year.
That would give the Saints a window of opportunity to build their roster elsewhere, add bigger names and potential star talent.
But for all of that to come to fruition, New Orleans must get the most from their young tackles. This year, that will mean Fuaga avoiding the dreaded sophomore slump and instead enjoying a second-year soar.
