The Saints were recognized by their peers on the strength of their nine-player 2025 draft class that included four starters who earned all-rookie honors. Left tackle Kelvin Banks Jr., the ninth overall selection out of Texas, opened all 17 contests for the Black and Gold, with his 1,066 snaps on offense a team-high for the unit. Quarterback Tyler Shough, the club’s second round pick out of Louisville, assumed the starting role in week nine and was a finalist for Associated Press Offensive Rookie of the Year, completing 221-of-327 passes (67.7 pct.) for 2,384 yards with ten touchdown passes and just six interceptions, good for a 91.3 passer rating. Shough, who led the Saints on three fourth quarter game-winning drives in December, also rushed for 186 yards with a club-best three touchdowns. Safety Jonas Sanker, a third round pick out of Virginia, tied for the team lead with three takeaways to go with 78 tackles. A fourth round selection out of Louisville, cornerback Quincy Riley played in all 17 games with five starts in the team’s base defense, while holding down a spot in the three-cornerback rotation. Riley was tied for fourth among NFL rookies with ten pass breakups. Linebacker Danny Stutsman, a fourth round selection out of Oklahoma, finished third on the team with 13 special teams stops and made 40 defensive stops in a supporting role.
Launched in 2002, Inside the League (ITL) is a consulting service for the pro and college football industry. ITL’s Neil Stratton has run various college all-star games and works with the representation of the majority of all active NFL players.