Lorenzo Styles Jr. receives draft call from his father's former coach

Every NFL Draft cycle, one of the most fun moments to watch for on social media is the draft call for each prospect. It is a deeply emotional moment for each player to receive that call from the team that selected them, telling them that they will be heading to the respective city for the next few years of their lives. The New Orleans Saints do a good job of giving the coach with the most impact the initial call, and that was the case again in 2026.

When the team picked Ohio State defensive back Lorenzo Styles Jr. in the fifth round, the man behind the call was senior defensive analyst Peter Giunta, who has been with the team for a decade. The connection? Giunta worked as a defensive backs coach and co-defensive coordinator for the St. Louis Rams from 1997 to 1999, coaching Styles Jr.'s father, a former NFL linebacker.

Lorenzo Styles, the father of Styles Jr. and Sonny Styles, played for six years in his own right, two for the Atlanta Falcons and four for the Rams. Giunta was his coach for two of those as the co-defensive coordinator in 1998 and 1999 for St. Louis, and now, as a senior defensive analyst for the Saints, he will coach Styles Jr. in a full-circle moment.

Giunta is one of the most highly respected coaches around the league for his contributions to various franchises over the years. He started off as a high school coach in Massachusetts for Swampscott High, and after a few collegiate stops, made his NFL coaching debut in 1991 as the Philadelphia Eagles' defensive backs coach. Ever since, he has remained at the NFL level, contributing in many roles as an outstanding defensive mind.

Now entering year 35 in the NFL, Giunta has the opportunity to coach the next generation of defensive talent under Kellen Moore and Brandon Staley for the Saints.