While all eyes were on NFL free agency with the legal tampering period beginning on Monday, Oregon State held its Pro Day, and the Jets were on hand, presumably to see top offensive tackle prospect Taliese Fuaga.
According to Ryan Fowler of The Draft Network, there was a “big time turnout” for the Oregon State Pro Day. Fowler noted that the Jets’ offensive line coach – he didn’t specify whether it was Keith Carter or assistant offensive line coach Ben Wilkerson – was among those in attendance.
Along with the Jets, the Pittsburgh, Jacksonville, and Denver offensive line coaches were there as was Philadelphia’s Senior Director of College Scouting and Carolina’s Director of College Scouting. In total, 28 teams made the trip to Corvallis.
In what could be a historically deep offensive tackle draft class, Fuaga is among the best. In Daniel Jeremiah’s recent Top 50 big board, Fuaga came in as the ninth-best prospect overall and the top offensive tackle.
At the NFL Combine, Fuaga measured in at just under 6’6″ and weighed 324 pounds. He posted an elite Relative Athletic Score (RAS) of 9.44 out of 10, which included a 32-inch vertical and a 9’03” broad jump. Fuaga ran a 5.2-second 40 as well.
Fuaga played over 1,500 snaps over the last two seasons, all of which came at right tackle. During that span, he allowed no sacks and just 23 total pressures. Fuaga also had the best run-blocking grade in 2023 at the tackle position.
For more on Fuaga’s game, here is what Jeremiah said in his pre-draft report:
“Fuaga has outstanding size,” wrote Jeremiah, “power and balance for the position. He lines up at right tackle, but I believe he could play on the left side if necessary. In pass pro, he has quick feet out of his stance and is explosive with his punch. He stuns rushers, stays attached and is always on balance. He is aware versus games and blitzers.
“In the run game, he is dominant. He uncoils out of his stance to strike and remove defenders over his nose. He creates movement on down blocks and always looks to finish. He is surprisingly nimble to reach and cut off on the back side. He takes good angles working up to the second level and made several de-cleating blocks against linebackers in the games I studied.”
It’s no secret that the Jets have a massive need at the tackle position–with at least one starting spot up for grabs and potentially two if Alijah Vera-Tucker ends up as a guard. To some degree, they will address the need in free agency but will likely be heavily invested in the position during the first round of the draft.
With the Jets holding the 10th overall pick, landing Fuaga is very much in play for them, depending on how many tackles are taken in the first nine picks and how those tackle-needy teams view Fuaga, Joe Alt, and Troy Fautanu.
Safety Kitan Oladapo, defensive back Ryan Cooper, and running back Deshaun Fenwick are three other Oregon State players that NFL personnel departments were likely there to check out as well.
Along with the 10th pick in the draft, the Jets hold the 72nd overall selection in the third round, with two fourth-round picks and eight picks overall. In terms of draft capital value, they rank 22nd in the NFL.
