Saints 2025 Year in Review: Jonas Sanker had strong rookie campaign
· Yahoo Sports
A strong 2025 draft class for the New Orleans Saints unveiled some significant contributors and building blocks for the future. Left tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. and quarterback Tyler Shough are cornerstones for a rebuilding offense. Quincy Riley and Danny Stutsman look like they could be part of the new core of a surprisingly strong defense. Another defensive rookie was a bit of a surprise selection, but was a major factor in the success that New Orleans had on defense this past season. He was a big part of a youthful secondary that came of age quickly.
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Jonas Sanker Year in Review
- Position: Safety
- Age: 23
- Height: 6-feet, 1 inch
- Weight: 211 pounds
- NFL experience: 1st year
- 2025 season: 17 games (16 starts)
Even Notre Dame safety Xavier Watts still on the board, the Saints used their second of two third round choices on Virginia Cavaliers safety Jonas Sanker at 93rd overall. A two-time All-ACC selection, Sanker had just 2 interceptions and 17 passes broken up in his last three collegiate seasons. However, he had 13 tackles for loss among an eye-popping 138 solo tackles in the final two years and was viewed as a rugged in-the-box safety with good upside.Sanker was thrust into a bigger role than expected after a season-ending injury to Julian Blackmon in the opening game. Thrown into the starting lineup, he'd start the last 16 games and play 978 (89%) of the team's defensive snaps. Sanker responded to the increased responsibility by being one of the key figures on a defense that ranked 4th against the pass and 9th overall.
After playing only one defensive snap in the opener, Sanker made an immediate impact once taking over for Blackmon. He led the secondary with 8 tackles in Week 2 against San Francisco. Against Buffalo in Week 4, Sanker recorded the first interception of the year by the Saints defense. He'd recover a fumble the following week to set up a key touchdown in the team's first win of the year over the Giants.
Sanker showed excellent range and good natural instincts as a deep safety, an area some thought was a minor weakness coming into the draft. He was also an outstanding tackler in open space. Both areas were a bit inconsistent down the stretch, something he'll have to work on this offseason. It was still enough to be a huge part of a young New Orleans secondary that turned out to be the team's most consistent unit.
Jonas Sanker was second among Saints defensive backs with 80 total tackles, including 3 for loss and 46 solo stops. In coverage, Sanker had 2 interceptions and broke up 6 passes while giving up 61.8% completion percentage in man coverage. Those numbers and his instinctive play earned him a spot on the 2025 ESPN All-Rookie Team.
Sanker was a bit of a surprise draft selection. He responded with an excellent rookie season, showing room for even more growth. Jonas Sanker looks like he'll be a major part of the rapidly strengthening New Orleans Saints defense.
This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: Saints 2025 Year in Review: Jonas Sanker had strong rookie campaign