Jonas Sanker had a strong rookie season last year, and he told media, "one of the big goals for myself is being able to find more ways to take the ball away and impact the game more " For a defense that is desperately needing to get more interceptions, Sanker shouldn't be the only one on the New Orleans Saints with this goal, and the unit could be transformed if he's successful.
Sanker had two interceptions last year, which was good for second on the team. The ranking has more to do with the lack of interceptions on the team, but two picks in your rookie year is solid individually. His move to STAR will lead to him seeing more targets, but it won't immediately equate to more turnovers.
Sanker is replacing Alontae Taylor in that role, and Taylor also had two interceptions on the season. If Sanker is going to increase his turnover production, it's going to take more than simply a change of position.
The Saints need to find a way to get more interceptions
Prior to the 2025 season, the Saints lost Paulson Adebo and Tyrann Mathieu. Those were the Saints leaders in interceptions every year from 2021-2024, and both left the team in one offseason. Mathieu had at least three interceptions in each of his three years in New Orleans and led the team every year. The Saints drafted Adebo in 2021. He had three interceptions as a rookie. That led the team, and he tied with Mathieu for the lead in 2023 and 2024.
The losses left a massive void on the team from a turnover department, and it showed in 2025. The Saints were one of the worst teams in the NFL in getting interceptions. They weren't as bad as the Jets, who had an insane 0 interceptions, but the Saints finished the season with just 10 interceptions. That was in the bottom half of the league.
The Saints brought in Julian Blackmon after Mathieu retired. Interceptions are his specialty. He only played one game last year, so we were never able to see it. He's one of the leading candidates to lead the Saints in interceptions. Quincy Riley made his name by taking the ball away in college, so he's another name to watch.
If Blackmon and Riley can repeat past production and Sanker takes a step forward in interceptions, the Saints should be a much more opportunistic defense. It's going to need to be multiple players taking the ball away. Sanker wouldn't be my first or second pick to lead in interceptions, but he can certainly be a part of the solution. If he proves me wrong, it could be a good sign of defensive progression.
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