New Orleans Saints select Jonas Sanker in third round of 2025 NFL Draft

The New Orleans Saints selected Virginia safety Jonas Sanker in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Sanker is now in the NFL after spending the last four years at Virginia.

Jonas Sanker began his college career in 2021 and played nine games as a reserve that season. In 2022, Sanker played in 10 games with nine starts and recorded 63 tackles, two passes defended, one interception and one forced fumble.

The 2023 season was strong for Sanker, posting 107 tackles, 11 passes defended, and three forced fumbles in 12 games with 12 starts. His production in 2023 led to him being named to the All-ACC First team. Sanker was named an All-ACC First Team player again last year, tallying 98 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, an interception, four passes defended and a blocked kick.

In January, Sanker spoke to Justin Melo of The Draft Network and revealed he’s a fan of veteran NFL safety Budda Baker. “He’s physical, aggressive, and violent as a tackler,” Sanker said. “He attacks the ball, he’s a tackling machine. I try to implement some of that into my game. I can cover at a high level. There are some safeties and nickel corners that do a great job in that department.”

Sanker played high school football at The Covenant School in Charlottesville, Virginia. He was ranked as the No. 1,236 overall prospect and the No. 113 safety in the Class of 2021, according to the On3 Industry Rankings, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

What NFL Draft analysts are saying about Jonas Sanker

Lance Zierlein of NFL.com gave an analysis of Sanker for his draft profile. Zierlein projected him to be selected in the third or fourth round and compared him to Jeff Heath, who played in the NFL from 2013-2021.

“Energetic safety with good production but areas to clean up in his game,” Zierlein wrote. “The three-year starter possesses good size and strength with a willingness to play downhill that led to a high tackle count. Sanker is long and rangy but gets himself in trouble with inconsistent pursuit angles. He’s adept at matching up against big slot receivers in man and plays with quick, instinctive eyes and a good burst to close in zone.

“He gets caught staring into the backfield at times, so his team will need to work on his eye discipline and focus. Sanker’s traits and special teams value could lock him into an NFL roster early on and give him a chance to work his way up.”