Oregon State offensive tackle Taliese Fuaga has been as good as advertised throughout this week’s Senior Bowl practice sessions. Fuaga has displayed the devastating size and physicality that allows him to bury opponents throughout one-on-one reps. Fuaga has been mauling defenders in Mobile, both in pass protection and as a run blocker. Few defensive linemen have successfully matched his approach.
A verified 6-foot-5, 332-pound monster with hands larger than 10 inches via the Senior Bowl's weigh-in process, Fuaga is currently elevating his pre-draft stock into the top 15 of the 2024 NFL Draft. All 32 teams are searching for offensive line prospects with Fuaga's mean streak. With that in mind, we've identified three potential team fits for Fuaga.
NEW YORK GIANTS
The Giants have invested premium resources into their offensive line, but the results remain a work in progress. Left tackle Andrew Thomas was a late bloomer, but he's finally developed into a franchise left tackle. The same can't be said for struggling right tackle Evan Neal, however.
The No. 7 overall selection in the 2022 NFL Draft, Neal has experienced back-to-back rough campaigns. This past year, Neal was credited with allowing 30 pressures via just 309 pass-blocking snaps en route to a lackluster 38.5 grade in pass pro, per Pro Football Focus.
General manager Joe Schoen may admit defeat on Neal. With another top-10 selection at his disposal, and a need to upgrade Daniel Jones' protection, Fuaga should rank highly on Schoen's big board. Fuaga is plug-and-play opposite Thomas at right tackle.
CINCINNATI BENGALS
Bengals decision-maker Duke Tobin solved his left tackle woes by signing Orlando Brown Jr. to a four-year contract worth $64 million in free agency last offseason. Brown Jr. will protect Joe Burrow's blindside for the foreseeable future. There's less certainty at right tackle, however.
Starting right tackle Jonah Williams is scheduled to reach unrestricted free agency. Williams has long preferred to play left tackle and could pursue those opportunities elsewhere. Nor do the Bengals have enough cap space to give serious consideration to re-signing Williams to the lucrative contract his market will command.
Tobin is expected to use the franchise tag on Tee Higgins, so that rules out that possibility as well. No, the Bengals will have a different starting tackle in 2024. Head coach Zac Taylor and new offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher would appreciate Fuaga's ability to hit the ground running at right tackle in their offense.
NEW YORK JETS
The Jets should have new starting left and right tackles next season. Mekhi Becton, Duane Brown, and Billy Turner are all scheduled to reach unrestricted free agency. None of them played particularly well in 2023. Injuries and inconsistent play led to head coach Robert Saleh playing five different tackles throughout 17 regular season games.
General manager Joe Douglas possesses the No. 10 overall selection. That's within Fuaga's striking distance. Primary starting right tackle Max Mitchell has been miscast as an every-down player and would be more effective if downgraded to a depth role. Franchise quarterback Aaron Rodgers would appreciate having a blocker like Fuaga protecting him. Upgrading Rodgers' protection is a necessity if the Jets hope to compete for a Super Bowl.
