From draft busts to Hall of Fame dynasties, discover the Saints' audacious draft philosophy and the unexpected stars who built Black and Gold greatness.
For decades, the New Orleans Saints were the NFL’s cautionary tale, a franchise defined by "Aints" masks and the infamous Ricky Williams trade that saw Mike Ditka ship away an entire draft class for one man. But looking back from 2026, the narrative has shifted.
The Saints haven’t just drafted legends, but rather they’ve pioneered a "boom-or-bust" philosophy that, when it hits, creates Hall of Fame dynasties. As we near the final days of the 2026 NFL draft, here is my take on the legends who defined the Black and Gold through the draft eras.
The Gold Standards: Round 1 Royalty
While first-rounders are supposed to be stars, the Saints have managed to snag players who didn't just meet expectations—they redefined their positions.
- Willie Roaf (1993): "Sasty" is the blueprint. Taking a tackle from Louisiana Tech at No. 8 was a masterclass. He wasn’t just a Saints legend; he was arguably the best offensive lineman of the 90s.
- Cameron Jordan (2011): Cam is the soul of the modern Saints. Drafting him at No. 24 remains one of the greatest "values" in franchise history. He didn't just break the franchise sack record; he became the face of the city.
- Archie Manning (1971): Opinion is often split here because of the team's record during his tenure, but Archie is the ultimate "what if." He was a legend drafted into a catastrophe, and his resilience laid the groundwork for the fan base’s undying loyalty.
The "Day 3" Heists
The true measure of a front office is what they find when the bright lights of Day 1 dim. The Saints’ ability to find Hall of Fame talent in the basement of the draft is, frankly, ridiculous.
Marques Colston: 2006 | 7th round- The greatest "late" pick in NFL history? Quiet, consistent, and Brees' favorite target.
Jahri Evans: 2006 | 4th round- A small-school guard (Bloomsburg) who became a 4-time All-Pro. The anchor of the Super Bowl line.
Morten Andersen: 1982 4th round- You don't usually call a kicker a "draft legend," but "The Great Dane" is in Canton. Enough said.
Danny Abramowicz: 1967 17th round- From the final round of the inaugural draft to leading the NFL in receiving. The original underdog.
The 2017 Masterclass: A Statistical Anomaly
We cannot discuss Saints draft history without mentioning 2017. In my opinion, this isn't just the best Saints class; it’s one of the top three draft classes in NFL history.
- Marshon Lattimore (R1): Shut down half the field from day one.
- Ryan Ramczyk (R1): Became the league's most technically sound right tackle.
- Marcus Williams (R2): A ball-hawk who redefined the secondary.
- Alvin Kamara (R3): The ultimate weapon. Finding the franchise’s all-time leading rusher and scorer in the 3rd round was highway robbery.
The Take: If the Saints didn't nail the 2017 draft, the tail-end of the Drew Brees era would have been a whimper rather than a roar. That single weekend extended a championship window by five years.
The New Era (2025-2026)
Looking at the most recent hauls, the strategy has shifted back to the trenches. The 2025 selection of Kelvin Banks Jr. and the record-breaking rookie season of Tyler Shough (the 2025 2nd-round gem) suggest that the "Loomis-Ireland" era still knows how to spot a star. Shough, in particular, has quickly silenced the doubters who thought the post-Brees QB search would last a decade.
Final Thoughts
The Saints' draft history is a wild ride of extreme risks. For every Johnathan Sullivan (a notable miss), there is a Rickey Jackson (the 2nd-round HOF linebacker) or a Jimmy Graham (the 3rd-round basketball convert).
The "Saints Legend" isn't usually a blue-chip hero from a powerhouse school; it’s more often a 7th-round wide receiver or a 4th-round guard who plays with a permanent chip on his shoulder. That is what makes this franchise’s draft history the most interesting in the league.