Nick Saldiveri grows into role on Saints offensive line

The starting offensive line for the New Orleans Saints is far from set in stone for 2024. With the free agency loss of Andrus Peat, the retirement of James Hurst and the injury uncertainty with right tackle Ryan Ramczyk, there are holes to fill.

Head coach Dennis Allen knows the process to determine answers up front will encompass Organized team activities, minicamp and most of training camp.

“Ultimately, our job is to find the best five out there,” he said earlier this week at team OTAs. “Come opening day, we’ll go through the process and figure that out.”

Allen confirmed confidence in a pair of returning starters, right guard Cesar Ruiz and center Erik McCoy. “Those are two positions that we feel pretty confident in. Where we’re at in the other three positions, we’re not set. Those positions we’re going to work extremely hard to figure out who is going to be in those spots.”

There are three offseason veteran free agent additions vying for the left guard spot: Lucas Patrick, Shane Lemieux and Oli Udoh, That trio has 21 seasons of NFL experience.

And then there’s 2023 draft pick Nick Saldiveri. The Saints traded their 115th and 165th overall selections to the Chicago Bears in order to obtain the 103rd overall choice to grab the Old Dominion product at the top of the fourth round.

Saldiveri grabbed the attention of the Old Dominion staff with his athletic skills demonstrated on the basketball court, as well as throwing the discus and shot put at Parkwood High School in Waxhaw, North Carolina, before receiving an offer. The two-star prospect was ranked the 2,534th overall prospect in the 2018 class. He just seemed to possess something special.

During his tenure at Old Dominion, Saldiveri played in 38 contests. He started his freshman campaign at left tackle before swinging over to right tackle for the remaining three years.

At the 2023 Senior Bowl workouts, Saldiveri lined up at both guard spots and at center.

“I feel comfortable doing them all,” Saldiveri, who turns 24 years old on August 14, stated. “Offensive guard is where I live right now, so that’s definitely where I’m most comfortable. I get the most reps there. I take pride in being able to do multiple things.”

Saldiveri garnered attention from NFL scouts with a high 9.47 relative athletic score. The 6-foot-6, 318-pound lineman moves well, with a 5.21 time in the 40, 24 reps on the 225-lbs bench press test and a 31″ vertical. His burst and acceleration are some of his more impressive traits. He shows super awareness picking up stunts and blitzes while working well in combo blocks. Saldiveri gets to the second level with good agility and will plant any linebacker or safety occupying that gap. He is a good technician as a pass protector with a wide base.

“When I move inside, I have a good length advantage and good athleticism and bend advantage. You play to your strengths,” Saldiveri explained.

His head coach seems pleased with his progress.

“I like what I’ve seen out of Nick Saldiveri,” Allen explained. “I like what he’s done in the offseason with his body. I think he’s worked extremely hard. It’s getting him out here when he’s fully capable and getting him all the reps and seeing what he really can do.”

None of that surprises his former college head coach.

“I think he’s got a great mentality for an offensive lineman,” Old Dominion head coach Ricky Rahne told the Charlotte Observer prior to the 2023 NFL Draft. “I think he knows it’s constant improvement. You’re never going to be a perfect player, but you’re always going to be striving for that.”

Saldiveri has realized a maturation process since his rookie campaign. “I feel like I’ve changed so much in terms of my body, my football knowledge, and my overall skills,” he reflected. “I’ve had a year to really sharpen everything and I’ve seen everything. I’ve seen a bunch of plays, played with a bunch of players. I’ve played against a bunch of players. I’ve developed a ton.”

Zach Strief was a fine offensive lineman for the Saints from 2006-2017. He applied a technician’s approach to his game. After a pair of seasons as the Saints’ assistant offensive line coach, Strief now enters his second campaign as the offensive line coach of the Denver Broncos. Not only wearing Strief’s familiar jersey No. 64, but Saldiveri’s skills and mental approach are comparable.

“Playing offensive guard, it’s important to be cerebral, having an understanding of the ‘why’,” said Salviveri. I take a lot of pride in what I do. I certainly strive to learn, to be like a sponge.”

New offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak and veteran offensive line coach John Benton are bringing changes to the New Orleans offense. Benton has been in the NFL since 2003. Seven of the latter’s units finished in the top ten in rushing in the NFL.

The current focus from the staff has been on the nuts and bolts of offensive line play. “It’s different, tracks, landmarks, those are the kinds of things you’ve got to get used to in terms of nuances,” Saldiveri described the change in philosophy from 2023 to ’24. “There is a different way we’re being taught, the different schemes, getting used to it so it will become second nature.”

Saldiveri will be joined in the offensive line room by new additions, including draft choices Taliese Fuaga and Josiah Ezirim. Now as a second-year elder statesman of sorts, he can pass along some words of wisdom to the newcomers.

“I would tell them to trust in the process and get into your playbook because you don’t have to think as much. You can play faster. Then you’ll be able to focus on smaller things. Just make sure you get your playbook down. We’re all professionals. Just trust the process. Don’t get overwhelmed. Be patient.”

As a big ugly in the trenches, Saldiveri has gone to work on the field and at the table. A Brazilian steakhouse in Plano, Texas served as the battleground among former Old Dominion offensive line teammates. A casual dinner turned into a competitive environment as to who could consume the most steaks. Saldiveri saw his waistline balloon following the dining experience.

“That was during my pre-draft process in (Plano) Texas,” Saldiveri recalled laughing. “We got a group of offensive linemen. We went to the Brazilian steakhouse. It was whoever could eat the most. I gained the most weight, 9.5 pounds. It was unbelievable. It was disgusting, but it was good competition.”
“I didn’t just eat steaks, I ate rounds, the part that they slice the steaks from. I had rounds, more rounds, and more rounds.”

Saldiveri walked into the steakhouse weighing 317.4 lbs., and left tipping the scales at 326.9 lbs.

Where’s the beef? The Saints are hoping he is part of the answer in 2024.