Nick Saldiveri, OT Old Dominion: 2023 NFL Draft Profile

Saldiveri was a two-star recruit from Parkwood High School in Monroe, N.C. in the class of 2018

Old Dominion right tackle Nick Saldiveri is on his way to the Reese's Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala. The fifth-year offensive lineman has taken a few snaps at guard this season and should see more opportunities to play inside when he reaches the NFL. The small school star has some intriguing traits that should translate to a selection in the 2023 NFL Draft.

Visit my Twitter account @Sam_Teets33 for more updates and previews of the 2023 NFL Draft Guide.

Nick Saldiveri, OT Old Dominion: 2023 NFL Draft Profile

Classification: Redshirt junior right tackle from Waxhaw, N.C.

Background: Saldiveri was a two-star recruit from Parkwood High School in Monroe, N.C. in the class of 2018. He was an unranked two-star national recruit according to 247Sports and Rivals. Saldiveri was the No. 2,534 recruit (three-star) for On3.com. He was an unranked recruit for ESPN with no star ranking or grade. Saldiveri earned First-Team All-Southern Carolina’s Conference while in high school. He also participated on the track and field team, throwing shot put and discus. In 2021, Saldiveri helped Old Dominion running back Blake Watson become the second player in team history to rush for 1,000 yards in a season.

2021 Production: 13 games, 5 sacks allowed, 1 penalty committed

2020 Production: Season Canceled

2019 Production: 11 games, 4 sacks allowed, 2 penalties committed

2018 Production: 3 games (Redshirt Year)

Injuries & Off-Field: Missed one game in 2019 with an injury

Awards: 2021 Honorable Mention All-Conference USA

Pros: Rarely penalized, offers upside as a guard, approaching 300 special teams snaps, creates displacement on down blocks, sufficient arm length and wingspan, quick to engage defenders with his hands, good bend in his knees, athleticism to recover when initially beaten, athletic profile to be effective tracking and blocking second level defenders, identifies and passes off stunts, quick kick slide as a tackle in pass pro, looks more comfortable in pass pro at guard, power to seal edge defenders inside or out, room to add mass to his frame

Cons: Limited experience playing anywhere but tackle, slide and foot speed are half a second too slow, arm length is passable but not great, lacks a mauler mentality, doesn’t consistently find and hit targets at the second level, hesitant and not aggressive enough when engaging defenders in space, doesn’t play hard through the whistle, anchor in pass protection carries concerns, vulnerable to speed to power, a little late identifying stunts at time, lacks the burst and speed to pull at guard, hand placement is too wide at times, allows defenders into his chest, core strength, not a high motor player, footwork and large steps sometimes lead to balance issues, doesn’t truly try to displace second level players

Overview: Saldiveri is unofficially listed at 6'6", 316 lbs. He’s played almost exclusively right tackle for the Monarchs since joining the program in 2018. He took snaps at left tackle in two games as a freshman and partially played right guard in three games over the past two years. Saldiveri has a sufficient wingspan and arm length to play tackle, but he will likely take snaps at guard at the Senior Bowl and kick inside full-time when he reaches the NFL. The former two-star recruit creates displacement on down blocks and is quick to engage defenders with his hands. He has good bend in his knees and avoids leaning on defenders. Saldiveri displays some ability to recover when beaten thanks to his athleticism. His athletic profile projects well for a player allowed to climb to the second level and pick off defenders in space. Saldiveri usually identifies and passes off stunts well, although he was late to recognize a few while playing guard. The North Carolina native has a quick kick slide and acceptable foot speed to protect his outside shoulder in pass protection at tackle, but he looks more comfortable in pass protection as a guard. Moving inside allows Saldiveri to play in an enclosed space instead of having to deal with defenders on an island. The redshirt junior has the power to seal edge defenders and his frame can still accept more mass. Unfortunately, Saldiveri isn’t elite in any area of his game and lacks the overwhelming athleticism to compensate for his shortcomings. His slide and foot speed are half a second too slow, and his footwork and large steps sometimes lead to balance issues. Saldiveri has good but not great arm length, and it shows up on plays where he’s outreached and driven backward. The fifth-year tackle’s anchor usually holds up in pass protection, but he’s vulnerable to speed to power rushes and needs to strengthen his core. Saldiveri’s hand placement is too wide at times and allows defenders into his chest. Perhaps the most concerning part of Saldiveri’s profile is what he does in space. He doesn’t consistently find and hit targets at the second level despite possessing the athleticism to do so. He appears hesitant and not aggressive enough when engaging defenders in space. Saldiveri doesn’t display much effort when engaging second level defenders and sometimes releases from his block before the final whistle, allowing his defender to make a play on the ball carrier. Saldiveri’s lackluster approach in these moments and cool motor raise concerns about his desire to finish plays and execute physical assignments.

Overall, Saldiveri is a small school right tackle who offers decent athleticism and power, but he’s not elite in any area and doesn’t jump off the screen despite facing lesser competition. He will kick inside to guard in the NFL because of physical limitations.  

Role & Scheme Fit: Right guard in an inside zone scheme

Round Projection: Early Sixth to Mid Seventh

Player Comparison: N/A

Submitted: 11-22-22