![\"Aug](\"https:\/\/platform.canalstreetchronicles.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/56\/2025\/08\/imagn-26912307.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0,0,100,100\")
<\/a><\/p>\nAug 23, 2025; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints center Cesar Ruiz (51) blocks Denver Broncos defensive end John Franklin-Myers (98) during the first half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images Stephen Lew-Imagn Images<\/p>\n
New Orleans will be looking for a new starting RG after the season.<\/p>\n
After taking a significant leap in production in 2024, fifth-year guard and former first-round pick Cesar Ruiz has had a pretty underwhelming preseason. He finished Saturday\u2019s game with a 47.5 overall grade from Pro Football Focus (49.3 RBK and 45.8 PBK) and allowed a pressure in all three preseason games.<\/p>\n
The Saints inked Ruiz to a four-year, $44 million contract extension in September of 2023, tying him to the franchise through the 2027 season. If Ruiz experiences a big drop-off in production in 2025, I could see New Orleans potentially moving on from the former Michigan Wolverine after the season.<\/p>\n
That said, with the emergence of UDFA Torricelli Simpkins III out of South Carolina and last year\u2019s UDFA standout from Boston College, Kyle Hergel, also continuing to impress, the Saints may already have his replacement in the building if his struggles continue. But I also wouldn\u2019t rule out the Saints turning to the 2026 draft for their starting right guard in 2025.<\/p>\n
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – AUGUST 23: Jonas Sanker #33 of the New Orleans Saints in coverage against the Denver Broncos during the second half of an NFL Preseason 2025 game at the Caesars Superdome on August 23, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Derick E. Hingle\/Getty Images) Getty Images<\/p>\n Rookie DB Jonas Sanker will secure a starting role by the end of the season.<\/p>\n The Saints look to have found a diamond in the rough with 2025 third-round draft pick Jonas Sanker. After an impressive preseason showing, it\u2019s safe to say the former Virginia Cavalier will have a prominent role in Brandon Staley\u2019s defense.<\/p>\n On Saturday against the Broncos, Sanker recorded nine total tackles and four stops, earning an 85.8 tackling grade from PFF for the second consecutive week. He also came up with the game-tying interception against the Jacksonville Jaguars last week.<\/p>\n Sanker\u2019s final preseason stat line: 15 total tackles, six stops, one pass breakup and one interception.<\/p>\n In total, Sanker logged 179 snaps this preseason, broken down as follows: 83 at free safety, 48 in the box, 20 in the slot, seven on kick coverage, seven on kick return, four on punt coverage, two on punt return and eight on FG\/XP block.<\/p>\n His versatility opens the door for multiple starting opportunities\u2014whether due to injury or if he simply exceeds expectations in his development. Justin Reid and Julian Blackmon are locked in as the starters at safety, and Alontae Taylor is expected to remain in the slot. But injuries happen, and if one of the boundary corners goes down, Taylor would likely shift outside, paving the way for Sanker to step into the slot.<\/p>\n I\u2019m excited to see Sanker\u2019s role and how it changes throughout the season, and I expect a strong rookie campaign from the 22-year-old.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n