New Orleans Saints draft Lorenzo Styles Jr. at 172: a raw, athletic cornerback with big potential.

The New Orleans Saints selected Lorenzo Styles Jr., an Ohio State safety/defensive back, with the 172nd overall pick in the fifth round, adding much-needed depth to a secondary that relied on Justin Reid, Julian Blackmon, and Jonas Sanker last season. Styles Jr. is a former Notre Dame wide receiver who transitioned to defense at Ohio State, posting 47 tackles, 1.5 TFLs, and 7 pass deflections in his college career. While he’s viewed as a raw prospect, his athleticism and potential are evident, especially on special teams.

Draft analysts view Styles Jr. as a late Day Three prospect with significant upside. PFF ranked him around 207th on their board, noting above-average coverage (63.5) and run defense (71.1) grades but emphasizing room for development. Dane Brugler of The Athletic placed him as the 30th best cornerback in the class with a seventh-round grade, highlighting his elite athletic traits and power, though acknowledging his current limitations in coverage and anticipation. Brugler suggests Styles could contribute on special teams and still compete for a roster spot as he develops.

Styles Jr. is highlighted as a phenomenal athlete, boasting a 9.99 Relative Athletic Score (RAS)—ranked fifth among all cornerbacks since 1987. He stands just over 6 feet tall, weighs about 194–200 pounds, and posted blazing combine numbers: a 4.27-second 40-yard dash, strong splits, and a 39-inch vertical jump. These traits underpin his ceiling as a dynamic special-teams contributor and a high-upside defensive back prospect for the Saints.