Nick Saldiveri Bio
Nicholas Saldiveri (pronounced sal-də-vair-ee) is an American professional football guard for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League (NFL). Born in Waxhaw, North Carolina, he played college football for the Old Dominion Monarchs before being selected by the Saints in the fourth round, 103rd overall, of the 2023 NFL draft. Standing 6 feet 6 inches tall and playing at roughly 143 kilograms, Saldiveri has developed into a sizable offensive lineman whose combination of length and movement has defined his early professional career.
After redshirting his first year at Old Dominion, Saldiveri worked his way into a starting role and finished his college career as a team captain and a second-team All-Sun Belt Conference selection. Since joining New Orleans, he has appeared in regular-season games as a rookie and has continued to work within the Saints’ offensive line system. Pronunciation note: sal-də-vair-ee, with the emphasis on the second syllable.
Early Life and Background
Saldiveri was born on August 14, 2000, in Waxhaw, North Carolina. His father died when he was two years old, and his mother raised him and his half-brother while working multiple jobs to support the family. Originally from South Florida, his mother relocated the family to North Carolina when Saldiveri was seven, settling in the Monroe area.
Despite his large frame, Saldiveri did not play organized football until he was eleven, as his size exceeded the limits of local Pop Warner leagues. He began the sport in middle school and continued at Parkwood High School in Monroe, North Carolina. Outside of football, he competed in basketball and the track-and-field throwing events, including discus and shot put, which helped him develop the athletic base that would later support his football career.
Path to American Football
At Parkwood, Saldiveri earned all-conference recognition, yet he was rated as only a two-star recruit and attracted limited college interest. His opportunity came when an Old Dominion University assistant coach noticed him and extended a scholarship offer, which Saldiveri accepted. The path reflected a slower developmental arc than that of higher-rated prospects, with Saldiveri needing time to refine his technique at the college level.
He redshirted as a freshman in 2018 and appeared in only three games, logging about 85 offensive snaps while splitting time between left and right tackle without allowing a quarterback hurry. The following season, he became a full-time starter, playing in 11 games. After the 2020 season was cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Saldiveri returned in 2021 and started every game at right tackle, helping Old Dominion reach the Myrtle Beach Bowl after a five-game closing winning streak.
Nick Saldiveri Career
Early Career (2021–2022)
Saldiveri’s first sustained stretch of starting experience came in 2021, when he started all 13 games at right tackle and earned honorable mention All-Sun Belt Conference recognition. He allowed 13 hurries, two quarterback hits, and five sacks that season while helping anchor an offensive line that closed the regular season on a five-game winning streak to reach a bowl game.
In 2022, he started 11 games, ten at right tackle and one at right guard, and finished the year with 16 hurries, three hits, and no sacks allowed. His play earned second-team All-Sun Belt honors, and he was elected a team captain by his teammates. Following the season, Saldiveri accepted an invitation to the 2023 Senior Bowl, where he faced top senior talent from across college football.
New Orleans Saints Era (2023–Present)
Saldiveri entered the 2023 NFL Combine as one of the top performers at his position group in the vertical jump, broad jump, and 20-yard shuttle drills, helping to raise his draft stock. The New Orleans Saints selected him in the fourth round, 103rd overall, of the 2023 NFL draft. As a rookie, he appeared in four regular-season games while adjusting to the professional level.
In 2025, Saldiveri suffered a knee injury during training camp and was placed on season-ending injured reserve on August 2, 2025, pausing his development with the Saints. The injury interrupted what had been a steady climb from lightly recruited high school prospect to NFL draft pick.
Notable Events and Milestones
Saldiveri’s most notable milestone came with his selection by the New Orleans Saints in the 2023 NFL draft, validating a career path that began as a two-star recruit with limited college offers. His participation in the 2023 Senior Bowl and his top-ten combine finishes in athletic testing marked him as one of the more athletic interior linemen in his class. The 2025 season-ending knee injury is the most significant setback of his professional career to date.
Nick Saldiveri Career Wins
As an offensive lineman, individual win totals are not credited in the same manner as for skill-position players. Saldiveri’s on-field success has been measured through team victories, snaps played, and pressure rates allowed rather than a cumulative win count. His verified achievements include helping Old Dominion reach the 2021 Myrtle Beach Bowl, earning second-team All-Sun Belt Conference honors in 2022, and being elected a team captain by his peers during his final college season.
College and Combine Highlights
During his college career, Saldiveri was part of an Old Dominion offensive line that closed the 2021 regular season with five consecutive wins to secure a bowl appearance. His 2022 second-team All-Sun Belt selection and Senior Bowl invitation marked him as one of the conference’s top offensive linemen that year. At the 2023 NFL Combine, he ranked in the top ten at his position in the vertical jump, broad jump, and 20-yard shuttle.
Nick Saldiveri Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Saldiveri’s father died when he was two years old, after which his mother became the central figure in raising him and his half-brother. Originally from South Florida, his mother moved the family to Waxhaw, North Carolina, when Saldiveri was seven, where he grew up and attended Parkwood High School in nearby Monroe. His mother’s work supporting the family on multiple jobs has been a recurring theme in his biographical background.
2025 Season Performance
Saldiveri entered the 2025 offseason with the New Orleans Saints aiming to build on his rookie-year experience. However, he suffered a knee injury during training camp, and the team placed him on season-ending injured reserve on August 2, 2025. The injury prevented him from contributing during the regular season and paused his on-field development with the Saints.
As Saldiveri works toward recovery, the Saints’ offensive line will need to adjust its rotation and depth chart heading into the remainder of the 2025 campaign. His return timeline and role within the line once healthy will be a storyline to monitor in the following offseason, given his combination of size, athletic testing results, and prior experience at both tackle and guard. Until then, his 2025 season is defined by the early training-camp setback and the rehabilitation process that follows.