The 2024 NFL Draft will be a great event for teams to start building for their future. Here is the Taliese Fuaga 2024 NFL Draft Profile.
Position: Offensive Tackle
School: Oregon State
Size: 6-foot-6, 334 pounds
Class: Redshirt Junior
2023 stats: Second Team All-American
Fuaga was one of the biggest risers on draft boards over the last college football season. He is now in the 2024 NFL Draft.
As a three-star prospect in the class of 2020, Fuaga decided to leave the state of Washington to sign with Oregon State. He played in four games in 2020 and ended up redshirting. In 2021, he saw time as a reserve. He was elevated to the starting lineup in 2022 and made the All-Pac-12 Second Team. His play helped the Beavers go 10-3. Fuaga returned to the starting lineup in 2023 and was named a Second Team All-American. He aided Oregon State in winning eight games in his final collegiate season.
Following two good seasons in the Beavers’ starting lineup, Fuaga declared for the 2024 NFL Draft. He is a projected first-round pick.
He has a great size and power profile for an NFL offensive tackle. Fuaga is 6-foot-6 and 334 pounds, which is prototypical for the NFL. With his size comes solid length, although it won’t likely measure with the elite prospects. His length helps him control his matchups and makes it hard to disengage. He also has good strength, which he uses to finish blocks. He also anchors well in pass protection.
Fuaga is a good run blocker with a great demeanor. He starts off plays with good quickness and engages his matchup with good leverage. Tuaga keeps his feet moving and can open up big holes for running backs. He can move decently by keeping his momentum going forward, which helps him get to the second level to make blocks.
His hand usage is among the best in the class. Fuaga has strong hands and can strike hard to jolt defenders. He has good timing and placement on his strikes too, as he gets his hands on defenders early and doesn’t let his hands get too wide. Fuaga’s hand usage helps him sustain blocks.
While he is a solid athlete, Fuaga is average in a few categories. He doesn’t have great flexibility and can be a wasit-bender at times. In addition, he doesn’t change direction quickly. This affects him when he goes to the second level, as defenders are able to dodge his blocks and get to the ball carrier.
The athletic limitations hurt him in pass protection. He can struggle with athletic, fast and flexible edge rushers. Fuaga doesn’t have the lateral quickness or flexibility to match some pass rushers who are able to bend around the edge.
Improving his footwork will be an area he will focus on at the NFL level. He needs to get more distance on his kickslide to help deal with quicker players. If he can do that while maintaining his balance, he can be a good pass blocker at the next level.
Projected Draft Range: First Round Pick
Draft Grade: First Round Pick
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