Saints have two young defensive backs on ESPN's 2025 All-Rookie team

Matt Sullivan

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Saints have two young defensive backs on ESPN's 2025 All-Rookie team image

The New Orleans Saints have had a few prominent rookies make immediate impacts for them this season. Kelvin Banks Jr. Is a franchise left tackle, and Tyler Shough might be the franchise quarterback they've been searching for.

But, those two are far from the only rookies that the Saints took in this draft class that have panned out in a big way. Charlie Smyth is a UDFA, and he's been a great kicker, but two young defensive backs are the standout rookies for the Saints this season.

Ben Solak of ESPN put together his 2025 All-Rookie team, and Banks and Shough both made it. But, young defensive backs and mid-round picks Jonas Sanker and Quincy Riley were both first-team rookies for the 2025 season.

Saints' Quincy Riley, Jonas Sanker make 2025 NFL All-Rookie team from ESPN

Riley is a fourth-round pick, selected 131st overall, and is one of two cornerbacks that Solak chose as the best rookie corners this season. He has 31 tackles, one interception, and eight passes defensed, and is deserving of this honor.

"Riley was only the No. 3 corner for the Saints this season and had some classic rookie mental snafus," Solak writes, "but with Alontae Taylor being a rising free agent in 2026, Riley might end up being a starter in all packages next season. He has earned it."

The Saints took Riley in the fourth round, but their third-round defensive back pick, Sanker, was also named as a first-team All-Rookie this season.

"One of my favorite rookies independent of position or draft capital," Solak writes, "Sanker has shined in Brandon Staley's defense as a premier communicator and coverage player.... He is a rising star to watch."

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Sanker was selected in the third round, at pick 93, and has been one of the best defensive backs from the 2025 rookie class. He has 78 tackles, two interceptions, and six passes defensed.

While Riley is still working towards being a mainstay on the Saints' defense, Sanker is playing "like a 10-year vet," according to Solak. This safety class has been a great one, and Sanker is more than deserving of his flowers for his rookie season.

Mickey Loomis absolutely nailed the 2025 NFL Draft. A franchise left tackle in Banks, a potential franchise QB in Shough in the second round, and two quality starting defensive backs in rounds three and four in Sanker and Riley.

This season, despite a 6-10 record, has been a successful one for the Saints. Kellen Moore and the Saints look to be on the rise and could very realistically be a playoff team in 2026.

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Editorial Team