Saints fill need at offensive tackle, add depth at cornerback and QB during NFL draft

METAIRIE, La. (AP) — The New Orleans Saints filled a pressing need with their first-round pick in the NFL draft.

Then they traded up in the second round to get a player they targeted at a position of relative strength.

In selecting Oregon State offensive tackle Taliese Fuaga No, 14 overall, coach Dennis Allen felt the Saints took a logical approach.

“There’s really not any sense screwing around,” he said. “You’ve got the guy you like. It’s a position of need. Let’s don’t overthink this. Let’s take the player.”

Fuaga played right tackle at Oregon State, but with New Orleans having potential openings at both tackle spots, he said he would be comfortable on either side. Trevor Penning, the second of two 2022 first-round picks, lost his starting role at left tackle early last season. His replacement, Andrus Peat, is an unsigned free agent. Starting right tackle Ryan Ramczyk had offseason surgery to address a chronic knee issue and faces an uncertain future.