Nicholas Saldiveri is an American professional football guard for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Old Dominion Monarchs and was selected by the Saints in the fourth round (103rd overall) of the 2023 NFL draft. Saldiveri brings impressive size to the offensive line position at 6 feet 6 inches and 316 pounds, providing the Saints with a developmental prospect at guard after spending most of his college career at tackle.
Early Life and Background
Nicholas Saldiveri was born on August 14, 2000, in Waxhaw, North Carolina. He faced significant hardship early in life when his father died when Saldiveri was just two years old. His mother worked multiple jobs to support him and his half-brother throughout his childhood. Originally from South Florida, his family relocated to North Carolina when he was seven years old.
Saldiveri did not begin playing organized football until he was 11 years old because his size and height made him ineligible for Pop Warner youth leagues. He started playing the sport in middle school before attending Parkwood High School in Monroe, North Carolina. Beyond football, Saldiveri also played basketball at Parkwood and competed in discus and shot put in track and field.
Path to American Football
At Parkwood High School, Saldiveri earned all-conference honors playing offensive tackle. Despite his regional success, he was ranked as a two-star recruit by major scouting services and did not attract significant attention from Division I programs. His size, which had made him too big for youth football, was now an asset at the high school level but had not translated into recruiting recognition.
An assistant coach from Old Dominion University attended one of his games and recognized his potential. The coach offered Saldiveri a scholarship, which he accepted, launching his journey to the college football ranks.
Nicholas Saldiveri Career
College Career (2018–2022)
Saldiveri redshirted as a freshman at Old Dominion University in 2018, appearing in only three games. He performed on just 85 snaps switching between left and right tackle positions and did not allow a single quarterback hurry during that limited action. The following year, he became a full-time starter, appearing in 11 games while allowing 22 hurries, two quarterback hits, and four sacks.
The 2020 season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, denying Saldiveri a year of development. He returned in 2021 and started all 13 games at right tackle, earning honorable mention All-Sun Belt Conference honors while allowing 13 hurries, two hits, and five sacks. He helped lead the Monarchs to a bowl game appearance in the Myrtle Beach Bowl after closing the regular season with five consecutive wins.
In his final season in 2022, Saldiveri started 11 games, 10 at right tackle and one at right guard. He allowed 16 hurries, three hits, and no sacks while earning second-team All-Sun Belt Conference honors. His teammates also named him a team captain, recognizing his leadership qualities on and off the field. Saldiveri played in the 2023 Senior Bowl following the season to showcase his abilities against top collegiate competition.
Professional Career
Saldiveri was a top-ten performer at his position class in the 2023 NFL Combine, ranking among the best in the vertical jump, broad jump, and 20-yard shuttle drills among offensive linemen. His strong testing numbers and Senior Bowl performance boosted his draft stock entering the 2023 NFL Draft.
The New Orleans Saints selected Saldiveri in the fourth round with the 103rd overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. As a rookie, he appeared in four games while primarily developing behind the Saints’ offensive line rotation.
In the 2024 season, Saldiveri took a significant step forward, appearing in 15 games with six starts at guard. His durability and consistency from his college career translated to the professional level as he earned a larger role within the offensive line rotation.
During training camp in 2025, Saldiveri suffered a knee injury and was placed on season-ending injured reserve on August 2, 2025. This injury ended his third season before it could begin, interrupting the momentum he built during the 2024 campaign.
Driving Style and Strengths
Saldiveri possesses rare length and size for the guard position at 6 feet 6 inches, which provides him with outstanding reach in pass protection. His testing numbers at the NFL Combine demonstrated elite lower-body explosiveness and agility for an offensive lineman. His experience playing both tackle and guard in college gives him positional versatility, though his NFL future appears brightest inside at guard where his power and anchor can be maximized against interior defensive linemen.
Notable Events and Milestones
Saldiveri’s most notable college achievement came in 2022 when he earned second-team All-Sun Belt Conference honors and was named a team captain. At the 2023 NFL Combine, he ranked in the top ten among offensive linemen in three different testing events. His selection by the New Orleans Saints in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL Draft represented the culmination of his journey from a late bloomer who did not play football until age 11 to a professional athlete.
Nicholas Saldiveri Career Wins
Through his first two NFL seasons, Saldiveri appeared in 19 career games with six starts for the New Orleans Saints. His most productive season came in 2024 when he started six games at guard. He has yet to record significant individual awards at the professional level, though he continues to develop within the Saints’ system.
College Highlights
During his five seasons at Old Dominion, Saldiveri appeared in over 35 games with approximately 24 starts across multiple positions. His signature season came in 2022 when he earned second-team All-Sun Belt Conference recognition while allowing zero sacks. He helped the Monarchs qualify for a bowl game in 2021 and served as a team captain in his senior season.
Nicholas Saldiveri Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Saldiveri was raised by his mother in Waxhaw, North Carolina, after his father passed away when Saldiveri was two years old. His mother worked multiple jobs to provide for the family, including Saldiveri and his half-brother. The family originally lived in South Florida before relocating to North Carolina when Saldiveri was seven years old.
Saldiveri has spoken about his mother’s sacrifices as a driving force behind his football career and his determination to succeed at the professional level.
Personal Life
Saldiveri credits his mother as a central figure in his life who worked tirelessly to support the family during his childhood. Her dedication despite working multiple jobs shaped his work ethic and appreciation for opportunity. Saldiveri began playing football at age 11, having been too large for Pop Warner leagues earlier, and his physical tools eventually became his greatest athletic assets.
2025 Season Performance
Heading into the 2025 season, Saldiveri was expected to compete for a more significant role on the New Orleans Saints offensive line after appearing in six games with starts during the 2024 season. The Saints’ coaching staff appeared to view him as part of their long-term plans along the interior of their offensive line.
During training camp in August 2025, Saldiveri suffered a knee injury that required surgery. The Saints placed him on season-ending injured reserve on August 2, 2025, ending his third professional season before it could begin. The injury interrupted his development trajectory and prevented him from building on his 2024 performance.
Saldiveri faces a recovery period ahead as he works to return to full health for future seasons. The injury represents a setback but not necessarily a career-defining obstacle for the young offensive lineman who entered the league as a fourth-round draft pick with room to grow.