We’re counting down to the days to the start of the New Orleans Saints’ 2024 regular season by highlighting each player to own the corresponding jersey number, and Day 64 brings us to a very important name: Nick Saldiveri.
What are realistic expectations for the second-year pro? What does a successful 2024 season look like for him? And what road brought him here? Let’s answer all those questions:
- Name (Age): Nick Saldiveri (23)
- Position: Offensive line
- Height, weight: 6-foot-6, 316 pounds
- Relative Athletic Score: 9.47
- 2024 salary cap hit: $1,188,570
- College: Old Dominion
- Drafted: Fourth round in 2023 (New Orleans Saints)
- NFL experience: 1 year
Saldiveri played right tackle almost exclusively in college, but the Saints converted him to left guard as a rookie last year and the new offensive coaching staff is keeping him there. And the early returns are encouraging. Saldiveri initially split reps at left guard with veteran pickup Shane Lemieux at organized team activities before dominating first-team snaps at minicamp. He did leave the final day of minicamp practice early with a soft-tissue injury (either a hamstring or groin muscle) but it isn’t expected to be serious, and he should be full-go when the Saints regroup for training camp.
A successful season for Saldiveri will have him playing well in the starting lineup. All of the offensive linemen drafted after him in the top half of Round 4 played more snaps than he did as a rookie, though we should remember Saldiveri’s rookie season ended with shoulder surgery, which he opted to undergo sooner so it wouldn’t disrupt his offseason. He also missed part of the spring last year with a calf injury, so durability may be a concern here. It’s at least something to monitor moving forward. Hopefully he’s as strong a fit in Klint Kubiak’s offense as the Saints envision. If Saldiveri can be part of a much-needed youth movement along the offensive line, that’s a win.
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