Saints rookie snubbed from respected list during NFL offseason

The New Orleans Saints attacked their biggest need in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Offensive tackle was a major hole due to the uncertainty around Ryan Ramczyk due to his knee injury.

Chad Reuter from NFL.com named eleven offensive rookies that will make an instant impact in their first season. The Saints first-rounder did not make the cut for the analyst.

Taliese Fuaga snubbed from notable All-Rookie team

Reuter tabbed two offensive tackles for the honors. Tennessee Titans OT J.C. Lathan and Los Angeles Chargers OT Joe Alt received those nods.

First-year Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh and GM Joe Hortiz decided to bolster the offensive line instead of picking a receiver in April’s first round, so look for the team to run J.K. Dobbins , Gus Edwards and rookie Kimani Vidal (whom I considered for this list) behind Alt. The move from left tackle to the right side should not be an issue for the son of former Pro Bowl lineman John Alt, as Joe Alt’s power, football IQ and agility will allow him to succeed.

Latham is another rookie tackle lining up at a new spot in the pros, moving to the left side with the Titans after stoutly holding down the right side at Alabama. At 6-foot-6, 342 pounds, Latham will be a sturdy wall in pass protection for second-year quarterback Will Levis thanks to his wide base and 35 1/8-inch arms. Latham will also move defenders to create running lanes for new feature back Tony Pollard and backups Tyjae Spears and Hassan Haskins .

-- Reuter via NFL.com

Accordingly, Fuaga did not. The rookie tackle is expected to start at LT for the Saints in 2024. He played RT during his final year at Oregon State, but his swap to the flip-side is going well, according to he and the staff. They are confident in the powerful rookie.

Fuaga took his reps during minicamp and OTAs at left tackle, while Trevor Penning started at RT. There's plenty of time for those circumstances to change, but don't bank on it.

Saints RB Kendre Miller is excited about Fuaga's potential in the pros, too.

Fuaga was arguably the top run blocking offensive lineman in the 2024 NFL Draft.

His PFF grade for run blocking reigned supreme in the class, and his ferociousness showed up consistently on film. There's work to be done in the passing game, but the Saints feel comfortable with his potential in the development section there.

All in all, Fuaga probably deserved a spot on the projected All-Rookie team, but there's only a limited amount of spots available.

Related: Saints' new coach isn't worried about key rookie stepping into starting role