In a league increasingly obsessed with athletic testing, advanced data, and explosive measurables, New Orleans Saints third round pick Jonas Sanker is a refreshing reminder that an appreciation for just flat out good football players should also weight.
A first year safety out of Virginia, Sanker has quietly become one of the defense’s most dependable pieces, proving that instincts, awareness, and intelligence can be just as valuable as an elite athletic profile.
Through the first five weeks of his NFL career, Sanker’s role has expanded rapidly. After playing just one snap in Week 1, he’s started each of the last four games and taken snaps all over the field -- in the box, deep at free safety, and in the slot.