The Saints kicked off the third day of the 2023 NFL Draft by trading up to select Old Dominion offensive tackle Nick Saldiveri with the first pick in the fourth round. While General Manager Mickey Loomis has never been shy about trading up to get his guy, Saldiveri\u2019s old college coach believes there was a reason the team was extra aggressive this time around.<\/p>\n
Speaking to ESPN\u2019s Adam Rittenberg<\/a>, Old Dominion head coach Ricky Rahne said that \u201c[t]he Saints trading up to get Nick [Saldiveri] says a lot about what they thought.\u201d<\/p>\n Rahne is right, as actions do speak louder than words, and the Saints made a pretty aggressive trade to secure Saldiveri\u2019s services. The team gave up a fifth-round pick just to move up 11 spots in the fourth round, which is a pretty hefty price if you\u2019re looking at a trade value chart.<\/p>\n However, those types of charts are based on aggregate value – if the Saints truly believe that Nick Saldiveri can be a franchise offensive lineman, then this trade will look like a steal.<\/p>\n For what it\u2019s worth, Saldiveri has already proven himself capable of impressing a coaching staff. The Old Dominion product earned All-Conference honors in two separate leagues, and he also played well enough to impress current head coach Ricky Rahne. Saldiveri originally joined Old Dominion under a previous regime, yet he still kept his starting job even when a new coach with no preconceived notions about his ability joined the organization.<\/p>\n Welcome to NOLA Nick Saldiveri!!!pic.twitter.com\/1D1E71EqvT<\/a><\/p>\n — Boot Krewe Media (@BootKreweMedia) April 29, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n