Jonas Sanker eyes next step in Saints’ defense

By Ross Jackson

One of the last outstanding decisions of the New Orleans Saints’ offseason is one that focuses on the team’s slot cornerback spot. The “STAR” role, as it’s called in defensive coordinator Brandon Staley’s system, is one that asks a versatile defensive back to hold a litany of responsibilities.

Coverage, run defense and pass rush, a single defensive back is asked to play a position that takes elements of cornerback, slot corner, linebacker and line of scrimmage player. It’s a demanding, but exciting and productive role to be entrusted to execute.

One player, who already had a standout rookie season, that could find his way into an expanded role in 2026 is safety Jonas Sanker. 

The versatile defender took more than 500 snaps in the box, at free safety and in the slot while in college at Virginia. Last year with the Saints, he had a more solidified role as a coverage safety. It was a role that he held well. But with the return of safety Julian Blackmon, there’s a chance that competition at safety heats up and the Saints could earn a chance to get all three (along with veteran leader Justin Reid) on the field all at once.

However, even if this opportunity doesn’t lead to Sanker taking on the STAR/slot corner role, his 2025 production should allow him to continue to grow as an impact player going into his second year. 

He finished his rookie season with 80 total tackles, three for a loss, a pair of interceptions, six passes defender and one fumble recovered. 

The impressive rookie has a chance to be a key defensive contributor if he sees a sophomore jump rather than a sophomore slump.