Colston's legendary draft story embodies the "find" and inspires new Saints picks. He returns to Pittsburgh, a hometown hero, setting a powerful tone.
In the loud, often hyperbolic world of the NFL Draft, there is something poetic about the New Orleans Saints calling upon Marques Colston to announce their Day 2 selections in Pittsburgh.
For a franchise currently holding picks No. 42 (Round 2) and No. 73 (Round 3) on Friday, April 24, Colston’s presence on that stage isn’t just a nostalgic nod to the past, it’s an overview in what the draft is actually supposed to be about.
The Ultimate "Find"
We talk a lot about "value" in the draft, but Colston is the literal gold standard of the term. Selected 252nd overall in the 7th round of the 2006 NFL Draft, he was nearly an afterthought. He came from Hofstra, a school that no longer even has a football program, yet he walked into New Orleans and became:
- The franchise's all-time leader in receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns.
- The reliable, silent engine of a Super Bowl XLIV winning offense.
- A Saints Hall of Famer who never needed a touchdown celebration to prove he was the best player on the field.
When Colston steps to the podium to announce the 42nd and 73rd picks, he serves as a living reminder to the prospects waiting in the green room, where you start is not where you finish.
A Symbolic Homecoming
The choice of Colston is also a savvy geographical play by the NFL. With the 2026 Draft taking place in Pittsburgh, the league is leaning into local roots. Colston is a native of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and seeing a local legend represent the Black and Gold in his home state adds a layer of "full circle" symmetry to the evening.
Why It Matters for the Saints
The Saints are in a transitional era, looking for the next foundational pillars to bolster a roster that has seen its fair share of turnover. By having Colston, a man who defined the most successful decade in franchise history, read those names, the team is subconsciously setting a tone and standard.
The players drafted at No. 42 and No. 73 aren't just names on a jersey; they are being welcomed into the fold by the "Quiet Giant" himself. If they can capture even a fraction of Colston’s work ethic and consistency, the 2026 draft class will be a resounding success.
On Friday night, when the cameras pan to the podium, fans won't just see a retired wide receiver. They’ll see the greatest draft steal in New Orleans history, proving once again that the Saints’ best moments often begin exactly where nobody expects them to.