After trading away their first of two fifth round draft picks, the New Orleans Saints used their second fifth rounder to select Lorenzo Styles Jr., an Ohio State Buckeyes safety. Lorenzo's brother and Ohio State teammate, linebacker Sonny Styles, was drafted as the seventh overall pick in the first round to Washington two days earlier. Lorenzo is also the 18th Ohio State player to be drafted by the Saints and 12th Buckeye to be selected by New Orleans since 2000. New Orleans was expected to address defensive back early in the draft. Styles was the first of two defensive backs to be selected, not coming until the 172nd overall choice. Here is what the Saints will be getting from the newest Buckeye to join their roster.

Poor coverage instincts and route anticipation to this point

Styles actually began his collegiate career as a wide receiver for two years with the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. He didn't convert to defensive back until midway through the 2023 campaign with the Buckeyes. Additionally, there's a chance that Styles could miss some offseason activities as he recovers from a labrum injury. That puts an already inexperienced player behind even further. That inexperience is evident when you watch his tape, revealing a player who frankly looks lost at times as he learns his position.

What attracted the Saints to Styles are his tremendous athletic traits and ability to play special teams. New Orleans doesn't necessarily need a safety right now with Justin Reid, Julian Blackmon, and Jonas Sanker at the position. However, their special teams in 2025 were abysmal. This will be the key to earning a roster spot for Lorenzo Styles. If he gets his foot his the door that way, his athleticism and hopeful continued improvement at safety could earn him an eventual defensive role.

This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: What the Saints are getting in Lorenzo Styles Jr.: NFL scouting report