Back in 2014 I did a list of the 101 best Saints players of all time. I look back on that now and some things have changed, but I mostly question the order a good bit. So with some re-shuffling for the 50 year anniversary, I give you my 50 best Saints players of all time.
1 Drew Brees, QB, 2006-present
This one is obvious. I could spend several paragraphs listing all his records to explain why but I don’t think that’s necessary. Pretty cut and dry.
2 Rickey Jackson, LB, 1981-1993
He leads the franchise with 115 sacks during his tenure. He has made 6 Pro Bowls and is one of two members in the Saints Hall of Fame.
3 Willie Roaf, T, 1993-2001
He’s the other Hall of Fame Saints player. He’s made 7 Pro Bowls which is second to Brees in Saints history (Brees has 8).
4 Morten Andersen, K, 1982-1994
He’s been to 6 Pro Bowls with the Saints, is the all time leading scorer in NFL history, and has been a Pro Football Hall of Fame finalist multiple times. Most games played in team history.
5 Deuce McAllister, RB, 2001-2008
All time leading rusher in team history and second in touchdowns scored. 2 time Pro Bowler.
6 Sam Mills, LB, 1986-1994
Second all time in team history behind Jackson for total tackles. 4 time Pro Bowler with the Saints.
7 Jahri Evans, G, 2006-2015
6 time Pro Bowler and he has the most All Pro selections in team history with 4.
8 Pat Swilling, LB, 1986-1992
He’s 3rd in team history in sacks, a 4 time Pro Bowler, and was named NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 1991.
9 Marques Colston, WR, 2006-2015
All time touchdown scoring leader in team history by a wide margin. All time franchise leader in receptions and receiving yards.
10 Vaughan Johnson, LB, 1986-1993
Four time Pro Bowler, member of the “Dome Patrol” with Mills, Swilling and Jackson.
11 Joe Horn, WR, 2000-2006
Four time Pro Bowler, 3rd in team history for receptions, 3rd in receiving yards and 3rd in receiving touchdowns.
12 Archie Manning, QB, 1971-1982
Two time Pro Bowler, 2nd in team history in passing yards.
13 Eric Martin, WR, 1985-1993
Second all time in franchise history for receptions and receiving yards. 4th in receiving touchdowns. A one time Pro Bowler.
14 Wayne Martin, DE, 1989-1999
One time Pro Bowler, second all time in team history behind Jackson in sacks.
15 Stan Brock, T, 1980-1992
Standout starter throughout his long career. 4th all time in team history for games played.
16 Dave Waymer, CB, 1980-1989
Career team leader in interceptions. One time Pro Bowler.
17 Jim Wilks, DT, 1981-1993
9th all time in team history for sacks and that’s as a defensive tackle. 5th in team history in games played.
18 Tommy Myers, S, 1972-1981
One time Pro Bowler. Second in team history behind Waymer in interceptions.
19 Jonathan Vilma, LB, 2008-2013
Two time Pro Bowler and captain of the defense for the Super Bowl champion team
20 Dalton Hilliard, RB, 1986-1993
3rd in team history for rushing yards. One time Pro Bowler. In 1989 he scored 18 touchdowns which led the NFL. 3rd all time in franchise history for total touchdowns scored.
21 Jim Dombrowski, G, 1986-1996
Paired with Brock for a lock time to form an excellent offensive line tandem on the left side. An excellent and underrated player throughout his career, much like Brock.
22 Will Smith, DE, 2004-2013
4th in team history in sacks. 1 time Pro Bowler.
23 Jimmy Graham, TE, 2010-2014
3 time Pro Bowler. 4th in team history in receptions, 5th in yards and 2nd in receiving touchdowns.
24 Frank Warren, DE, 1981-1994
5th in team history in sacks. 3rd in team history in games played.
25 Derland Moore, DT, 1973-1985
It’s hard to really quantify is value because sacks weren’t an officially kept stat until 1982. Moore was a stud for the Saints, though, and a top two defender for the franchise with Myers in the 70s.
26 Danny Abramowicz, WR, 1967-1973
Named All Pro in 1969. 7th in team history in receptions, 4th in team history in receiving yards, 6th in touchdown receptions.
27 Joel Hilgenberg, C, 1984-1993
Mainstay on the offensive line and 1 time Pro Bowler.
28 La’Roi Glover, DT, 1997-2001
Two time Pro Bowler and 7th in team history in sacks. NFC Defensive Player of the Year in 2000.
29 Sammy Knight, S, 1997-2002
3rd in team history in interceptions. One time Pro Bowler.
30 Joe Johnson, DE, 1994-2001
2 time Pro Bowler and 6th in team history for sacks.
31 Hoby Brenner, TE, 1981-1993
2nd in team history for receptions and receiving yards by a tight end behind Graham. 1 time Pro Bowler.
32 Carl Nicks, G, 2008-2011
2 Time Pro Bowler
33 Gene Atkins, S, 1987-1993
4th in career interceptions for the team.
34. Dave Whitsell, CB, 1967-1969
The first Pro Bowler in team history. Despite just 3 seasons with the Saints, he’s 5th in team history for interceptions.
35. Roman Harper, S, 2006-2013, present
Two time Pro Bowler
36. Jammal Brown, T, 2005-2008
Two time Pro Bowler
37. George Rogers, RB, 1981-1984
Two time Pro Bowler, 2nd in team history in rushing yards.
38. LeCharles Bentley, C/G, 2002-2005
Two time Pro Bowler
39. Brad Edelman, G, 1982-1989
Terrific interior player, one time Pro Bowler.
40. Pierre Thomas, RB, 2007-2014
4th in team history in rushing yards. Most career receptions in team history by a running back. 7th in team history in touchdowns scored.
41. Cameron Jordan, DE, 2011-present
Two time Pro Bowler. Already 13th career in team sacks. Would tie for 8th with 8 sacks this season.
42 Johnnie Poe, CB, 1981-1987
6th in career interceptions for the team.
43 Jermon Bushrod, T, 2007-2012
Two time Pro Bowler
44. Rueben Mayes, RB, 1986-1990
5th in franchise history for rushing yards. Two time Pro Bowler.
45 Tony Galbreath, FB, 1976-1980
5th in rushing touchdowns in team history, 2nd behind Thomas in career receptions by a running back.
46 Henry Childs, TE, 1975-1980
3rd in receptions by a tight end, 3rd in yards receiving by a tight end, and 2nd in touchdowns scored by a tight end. 1 time Pro Bowler.
47 Thomas Morstead, P, 2009-present
1 time Pro Bowler. Holds the NFL record for most touchbacks in a season. Twice almost broke the average net punting yards in a season.
48 Bobby Hebert, QB, 1985-1992
4th in passing yards, 4th in touchdown passes, 2nd in career wins by a quarterback behind Brees.
49 John Hill, C, 1975-1984
Rock solid center for 10 years.
50. Aaron Brooks, QB, 2000-2005
I struggled with whether to include him on the top 50 or not. There were a lot of players that could have gone here. Jake Kupp, Mark Fields, Charles Grant, Zach Strief, Jon Stinchcomb, Jerry Fontenot, Scott Shanle, Kyle Turley, Chuck Muncie, Jonathan Goodwin… lots of tough ones to leave out. Brooks belongs in the top 50, though. 3rd in team history in passing yards, first playoff win, 2nd in passing touchdowns. Brooks was controversial, but the numbers speak for themselves.
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
