Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
By Ross Jackson
Making the most out of every opportunity given is necessary for young NFL players. New Orleans Saints’ rookie safety Jonas Sanker has done exactly that, impressing in each of his starts thus far.
His third career start, Week 4 against the Buffalo Bills, was his best performance yet.
During the game, Sanker piled on:
- Five tackles
- One interception
- Three passes defensed
- 58/59 defensive snaps
The interception was the first for the team in the 2025 season. It came on a deep pass by Bills quarterback Josh Allen. The intended receiver got over the top of Saints corner Isaac Yiadom and Sanker picked up a ton of ground quickly as he tracked the pass overhead and snagged it on a leaping attempt. A very impressive play for the rookie.
He also had a pair of leaping pass breakups, fighting for positioning on the pass and winning out in coverage without drawing a flag.
As New Orleans traverses a challenging, winless landscape to start the season, young building blocks like Sanker are very important for the team’s future. Sanker is among those building blocks who have not disappointed.
What’s particularly exciting for New Orleans is that Sanker still has a ceiling to reach. He missed a few tackles, including on a screen reception for a touchdown by Bills wide receiver Khalil Shakir. As he continues to refine his skills and settle into his new environment and defensive system, the sky is the limit for the versatile rookie.
