What Saints players made the list and where?
ESPN’s Ben Solak recently released an article in which he uncovered who the top NFL draft selections at each pick (Nos. 1-262) are. Within Solak’s list, there are several former members of the New Orleans Saints who were included. Here’s how they were slotted:
51. Rickey Jackson, LB (1981)
A similar debate here as the pick above, with Jackson — one Super Bowl ring, five All-Pro teams — facing off against A.J. Brown, who might become one of the great wide receivers of this era. Again, I lean to the established Hall of Famer, but five of Brown’s six seasons have cleared 1,000 yards. If he keeps that up for another five seasons, his résumé will hold up.
60. Pat Swilling, OLB (1986)
The 1991 Defensive Player of the Year and a five-time All-Pro, Swilling was a bit of a journeyman (played for the Saints, Lions and Raiders), but he was at his best for the team that drafted him. One wild note from a 2011 column by an up-and-coming writer named Adam Schefter: Swilling has the most playoff losses (six) with no wins of any player in NFL history.
95. Jimmy Graham, TE (2010)
Graham was exactly what a third-round pick should be: a big dart throw that paid dividends on the risk. His success in the end zone — his 89 touchdowns rank fourth among all tight ends — was his calling card. Well, either that or mentioning that he used to play basketball in college.
103. Trey Hendrickson, DE (2017)
108. Jahri Evans, G (2006)
179. Eric Martin, WR (1985)
252. Marques Colston, WR (2006)
New Orleans had three players drafted inside the top 100 picks on this list: five in the top 110. Two players, Hendrickson and Graham, are still active in the league today although the latter has not signed with a team for the upcoming year.
The Saints already have one Hall of Famer on the list in Rickey Jackson but could soon see another tabbed with the distinction if Jahri Evans gets the nod within the next couple of years. Evans was a finalist for the Class of 2024 and 2025.
While they may not have been drafted by New Orleans, more names in the article were once members of the Saints’ organization. Those include:
7. Adrian Peterson, RB (2007), Drafted by Minnesota Vikings, Played for Saints 2017
32. Drew Brees, QB (2001), Drafted by San Diego Chargers, Played for Saints 2006-20
52. Ken Stabler, QB (1968), Drafted by Oakland Raiders, Played for Saints 1982-84
118. Mark Brunell, QB (1993), Drafted by Green Bay Packers, Played for Saints 2009
130. Darren Sproles, RB (2005), Drafted by San Diego Chargers, Played for Saints 2011-13
166. La’Roi Glover, DT (1996), Drafted by Oakland Raiders, Played for Saints 1997-2001
186. Carl Lee, CB (1983), Drafted by Minnesota Vikings, Played for Saints 1994
251. Scott Shanle, LB (2003), Drafted by St. Louis Rams, Played for Saints 2006-12
*119. Brandon Marshall, WR (2006), Drafted by Denver Broncos, Signed by New Orleans in 2018, but never appeared in any game.*
What are your thoughts on Solak’s list? Do you agree or disagree with these players being the best at their NFL draft pick slot? Let us know in the comments below!