2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Jonas Sanker

At the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine, Jonas Sanker showcased his athleticism with a 4.48-second 40-yard dash, ranking seventh among safeties. He also recorded a 36.5-inch vertical jump and a 10'8" broad jump, tying for third among safeties in the latter. His 1.61-second 10-yard split further demonstrated his explosive burst. 

Background:

Hailing from Charlottesville, Virginia, Jonas Sanker was a 3-star recruit who stayed close to home to play for the Virginia Cavaliers. Over four seasons, he appeared in 43 games with 33 starts, amassing 273 total tackles, 13 tackles for loss, two sacks, two interceptions, 19 passes defended, and four forced fumbles. His consistent performance earned him First-Team All-ACC honors in his junior and senior seasons.

Sanker's versatility was evident throughout his collegiate career. He saw significant snaps as a nickel defender, in-the-box safety, and free safety, reflecting his adaptability across various defensive schemes. In his senior season, he recorded 98 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, four pass breakups, an interception, and a fumble recovery returned for a touchdown.

Off the field, Sanker was recognized for his leadership qualities, being named one of Virginia’s five team captains. Additionally, coaches and teammates have consistently praised his dedication and work ethic.

Strengths:

• Football IQ and Instincts: Sanker demonstrates exceptional play recognition, allowing for quick diagnosis and reaction to offensive schemes.
• Pursuit Angles: He routinely takes good angles to ball carriers and puts himself in advantageous positions.
• Tackling Prowess: Sanker is a reliable and physical tackler with a large tackle radius, minimizing yards after contact.
• Versatility: He is experienced across multiple positions, including nickel defender, in-the-box safety, and free safety.
• Run Support: Sanker triggers swiftly and plays through or around traffic to make tackles in the run game.
• Zone Coverage Awareness: Maintains disciplined positioning and effectively reads quarterback intentions in zone schemes.

Weaknesses:

• Man Coverage Limitations: He may struggle against smaller, shiftier slot receivers due to some stiffness in his hips and average athleticism.
• Over Aggressiveness: Sanker tends to bite on play-action fakes and overrun plays, leading to compromised positioning.
• Tackling Technique: He occasionally tackles too high, which could be exploited by more powerful NFL ball carriers.
• Good, Not Great Athlete: Sanker's athleticism isn't a weakness but isn't anything to write home about.

Final Thoughts and Chicago Bears Fit for Jonas Sanker:

Jonas Sanker projects as a valuable asset in a zone-heavy defensive scheme that can capitalize on his instincts, tackling ability, and physicality. His skill set aligns well with roles such as a half-field safety or big nickel defender, where he can be deployed closer to the line of scrimmage and in sub-packages. While there are areas for refinement, particularly in coverage technique and discipline against play-action, Sanker's football intelligence and tenacity position him as a promising contributor at the next level.

I knew I was watching a special player in the game against Virginia Tech. There were a couple of times when he was left in one-on-one tackling situations against RB Bhayshul Tuten and was able to bring him to the ground. That's not easy against Tuten, whose 4.3 speed can wreck pursuit angles. 

Jaquan Brisker's concussion history makes safety a sneaky need for the Chicago Bears. He has missed games every season due to concussions (16 total games). Even if you project him to start all 17 games in 2025, you can't justify giving a player with that extensive history of head injuries a long-term contract. 

Sanker could provide depth and insurance within the safety room and take over a full-time role in 2026. His versatility would allow defensive coordinators to deploy him in various packages, potentially filling roles similar to those of current Bears safeties. His prowess in run support and zone coverage would complement the Bears' defensive strategies, particularly in sub-packages and against run-heavy opponents.

Additionally, Sanker's experience on special teams during his collegiate career adds further value, offering immediate contributions while he develops into a more prominent defensive role. His leadership qualities and work ethic align with the Bears' emphasis on high-character players, making him a fitting addition to the roster.

NFL Comparison: Jaquan Brisker

Up Next: Nohl Williams