Jonas Sanker could reasonably be the New Orleans Saints' most important player in Week 1. He already has the weight of changing from safety to STAR, one of the most important positions in Brandon Staley's defense. That weight gets even heavier as he has a premium matchup with Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown in the season opener.
Along with Jahmyr Gibbs and Penei Sewell, St. Brown makes up the big 3 on the Lions offense, and that doesn't even factor in quarterback Jared Goff. With the nature of the position, Sanker is going to be in position to have to make plays against possibly all of these players.
Sewell will be the most infrequent, but the two could cross paths when Sanker is asked to rush off the edge. Now that he's closer to the line of scrimmage, Sanker is going to be more involved in the running game and will be integral part of stopping Gibbs. Sanker will be tasked with doing it all, but priority number one is breaking up the Goff-St. Brown connection.
Jonas Sanker could announce himself to the league in Saints' opener
This is the ultimate baptism in fire moment for Sanker. His first test in the slot very well could be his toughest of the season. The talent of Amon-Ra St. Brown is well known, and that could make this a coming out party for Sanker.
St. Brown is one of the best receivers in the league, and he plays in the slot often. Though St. Brown has aligned out wide more than he has in the slot, the latter is typically seen as where he does his most damage. And it's where he'll see Sanker.
He played in the slot frequently in college, but this is technically something new for Sanker on this level. He's going to be tested early and often, as St. Brown is easily Goff's favorite target.
Goff threw the ball to St. Brown 172 times, 70 times more than the next closest receiver. That means Sanker is going to have many opportunities to make a play or a blunder. He's going to need to be strong at every single point, because Goff is going to throw it to St. Brown even when he's covered.
When facing a receiver of St. Brown's caliber and style, Sanker is going to need to be good at the line of scrimmage, at the catch point and in open field. The Lions will find a way to get the ball in St. Brown's hands, so there will be many moments where Sanker will be required to flash his physicality fighting through players on crossing routs or blocks to get to St. Brown.
If he checks those boxes with an impressive first week, there will be no doubt the Saints made the right choice with Sanker, and his stock nationally could grow with a game like that.
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