As the college football season barrels toward its finish, FantasyPros will be taking a look at early NFL Draft scouting reports before the Combine in March. Here’s a look at Taliese Fuaga.

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2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Taliese Fuaga

Taliese Fuaga (OT – Oregon State)

6’6” – 334 lbs.

Background:

Three-star recruit who played sparingly in 2020 and 2021 before stepping into the starting lineup last year, where he played right tackle and finished the year with no sacks allowed, and only three hits and eight pressures allowed, per Pro Football Focus. He reprised his role on the right side this year and is having arguably an even better season.

Positives:

Massive right tackle who has been highly effective for the past two seasons. Plays the game with physicality and nastiness. The mauler in a phone booth you’d expect given his size. Jolts opponents with his hands on contact. Shows good knee bend to compete in the leverage battle. Has excellent leg drive after contact in the run game and can easily overwhelm smaller opponents. Collapses the edge when attacking the outside shoulder. Surprisingly athletic, executing the Beavers’ zone concepts effectively. Short-area quickness is very impressive for his size. Able to get out in space or to the second level and successfully engage opponents. Does a nice job of playing within his frame in the run game. Shows an excellent motor in space and through the whistle. Hasn’t allowed a sack in college as of the time of writing. Shows adequate knee bend in pass sets, and gets sufficient depth with his kickslide to compete against speed rushers. Avoids oversetting and opening himself up to inside moves. Anchor strength is outstanding. Active with his hands, aggressively firing out his punch; has a lot of power in his hands to knock defenders off-balance when he lines them up. Effective hand-fighter when mirroring.

Negatives:

Lateral quickness is adequate but not outstanding; not quite able to consistently maintain his form against faster speed rushers; has only played on the right, and looks like he’ll stay there in the pros as well. Can get a bit flat-footed at times in pass pro. Gets upfield too early in the screen game, which could lead to penalties at the next level.

Summary:

One of the biggest, most consistent and most well-rounded tackle prospects in this year’s class. He has the size, strength, and killer instinct to maul in a phone booth, and the short-area quickness to get out in space and execute zone concepts. As a pass protector, he shows patience and discipline, with adequate lateral quickness, powerful and active hands, and an incredible anchor. Those traits will likely make him a scheme-versatile starting right tackle and first-round pick.

Projection: Round 1