By Ross Jackson
After securing a nine-player class in this year’s NFL Draft, the New Orleans Saints are expecting a few to step into starting roles fairly quickly.
While first-round offensive tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. is an obvious choice, there are a couple of other players that could end up holding starting roles during their rookie seasons.
T Kelvin Banks Jr.
Banks is the obvious one. He’ll be stepping into the starting left tackle role, building off of his momentum from a decorated collegiate career. Banks will maintain his position from college and, ideally for New Orleans, he’ll continue his success in the role as well.
QB Tyler Shough
Rattler may have been the more polished passer in OTAs and minicamp, but it’s still an uphill battle against head coach Kellen Moore’s handpicked guy. Shough is a shoo-in to eventually take on the starting role, whether it’s Week One or Week 12. The expectation is that Shough will eventually be the team’s starting quarterback.
He’s the highest drafted passer by the Saints in the NFL Draft (supplemental draft excluded) since Archie Manning in 1971, and he’s the first ever quarterback taken by the franchise in the second round. He’ll be the starter eventually. The question is just about when.
S Jonas Sanker
Sanker’s fast-track would only take place if there were an injury at the safety position. If there is one, the Virginia playmaker would immediately be able to step in. The question would then become whether or not he could perform well enough in that time to challenge for more snaps.
CB Quincy Riley
Riley may compete immediately for the starting cornerback role opposite second-year corner Kool-Aid McKinstry. He has slot versatility as well but hardly played the position during his collegiate career. Riley has ball-hawking skills that would undeniably be of assistance on the outside specifically.
LB Danny Stutsman
Finally, and much like Sanker, Stutsman could step into a larger role should there be an injury ahead of him at the position. His leadership qualities, football IQ and tackling prowess would all be of value should linebackers Demario Davis or Pete Werner need a spell. Stutsman should be seen as a truly viable future option at the position. Whether or not that trajectory accelerates in 2025 remains to be seen.
The rest of the class could find their way into starts here and there by being the first player in a rotation against a specific opponent or matchup. Holding onto the role for multiple games may take too many other factors for their rookie year. But never say never in the NFL.
