5 Greatest Players in the History of the New Orleans Saints

The New Orleans Saints started playing football in the 1967 season, and it has been a franchise that got off to a slow start. New Orleans was looked at as one of the worst NFL franchises for many years, and fans were wearing paper bags because they couldn’t stand to watch their own team. The Saints weren’t able to become consistent until the franchise’s biggest offseason additions of bringing in Sean Payton and Drew Brees prior to the start of the 2006 season.

There have been many players that have come to mind as becoming staples for the black and gold. Even through the struggles, the Saints have seen some of the best players come through their franchise. Here are the five greatest players in the history of the New Orleans Saints:

5. Archie Manning, Quarterback

Former Saints QB Archie Manning (8) – Malcolm Emmons/US Presswire

Archie Manning is one of the most popular players when you think of the Saints and he remains one of the key players from the early days when the franchise was just getting started in the NFL. Manning was able to accomplish many features throughout his career with the Saints. The Saints weren’t able to win under Manning, due to an overall lack of talent around him and the coaching wasn’t up to par. Even with all of the team’s struggles, Manning still ranks second in passing yards (21, 734) and third in passing touchdowns (115) in the franchise’s history.

The Ole Miss product would have a stellar rookie season in 1971 where he would start in most of the franchise’s game in his debut season. He would be able to continue that momentum heading into the 1972 season where he led the league in pass attempts (488) and completions (230). Manning would play ten full seasons for New Orleans and missed one due to a shoulder injury.

Overall, he played in 134 games with 129 starts, recording career totals of 21,734 passing yards and 115 touchdowns. The second overall pick would be enshrined into the Saints Hall of Fame and the Saints Ring of Honor. Manning would go down as a legend for the Saints and would be recognized as one of the best quarterbacks to put on the black and gold.

4. Marques Colston, Wide Receiver

Former Saints WR Marques Colston (12) – Troy Taormina/USA Today Sports

Marques Colston’s story began at the 2006 NFL Draft when he was taken in the seventh round by the New Orleans Saints. Usually when someone is drafted in the seventh round they are an afterthought, but Colston was the exact opposite. The 2006 NFL Draft would only shape for what the Saints were building, especially adding Brees in that same offseason. The draft would be headlined by New Orleans taking Reggie Bush with the second overall pick, but to get a player at this caliber in the last round will go down as one of the best draft picks in Saints’ history.

In his first season with the Saints, the Brees and Colston connection would flourish in 2006. During his rookie season in 2006, Colston would haul in 70 passes for over 1000 yards and eight touchdowns. The Hofstra Product would go on to have a sensational career in New Orleans as he had 106 career starts. Colston would record 711 receptions for 9,759 yards and 72 touchdowns. He would rank first in franchise history in catches, receiving yards, receiving touchdowns, and total touchdowns. Colston would be inducted into the Greater New Orleans Sports Hall of Fame in 2022 and would etch his name into the Saints Hall of Fame in 2019.

3. Willie Roaf, Offensive Tackle

Former Saints OT Willie Roaf (77) – New Orleans Saints

Willie Roaf became one of the best offensive tackles in the history of the NFL and the Saints took a chance on him in the 1993 NFL Draft. The Louisiana Tech product was drafted with the eighth overall pick in the 1993 draft by New Orleans. He would go on to live up to his nickname, ‘Nasty’, as he would have a successful career with the black and gold. Through the 1993-2001 season, Roaf was named to seven Pro Bowls. The seven Pro Bowl selections would be the most in franchise history. Roaf was one of the most dominant players during his time.

During his rookie season in 1993, Roaf would immediately have a starting role on the Saints offensive line. He would start in all 16 games during his rookie season and from there he would start in. 131 games during his career as a Saint. Roaf would cap off his NFL career with 189 career starts over 13 seasons and was named first-team All-NFL seven times, All-NFC six times, and All-AFC three times. He would be a part of the 2023 Hall of Fame class and he became the second Saints player to be voted into Canton.

2. Rickey Jackson, Linebacker

Former Saints LB Rickey Jackson (57) – Chris Graythen/Getty Images

Rickey Jackson will go down as one of the most prolific players on the defensive side of the ball for the Saints as he was one of the founding members of the ‘Dome Patrol’. The ‘Dome Patrol’ was consisted of four linebackers who brought that sense of aggressive nature on the Saints defense. Jackson, Sam Mills, Vaughn Johnson and Pat Swilling were a part of one of the best defenses in NFL. Jackson would go on to a have a 13-year career with the Saints and he held the team career record of 115 sacks, until last season when Cam Jordan would break the long-time record.

In his rookie season with New Orleans in 1981, Jackson led the team with eight sacks, recorded 125 tackles, and 10 passes defended. There really can’t be any argument that Jackson is the best Saints defensive player in the history of the franchise. He would be one of the key reasons why the Saints were able to make the playoffs for the first time.

The Pittsburgh product would be inducted into the Saints Hall of Fame in 1997 and would be inducted into the Saints Ring of Honor in 2013. Jackson remains the franchise leader with 38 forced fumbles and is second in fumble recoveries with 27. He would finish his career with 128 sacks, which ranks him 10th all time in NFL history. Jackson would be a part of the 2010 Pro Football Hall of Fame class and would become the first Saint to be voted into Canton.

1. Drew Brees, Quarterback

Former Saints QB Drew Brees (9) – Chuck Cook/USA Today Sports

Drew Brees means so much to the city of New Orleans for his contributions that he was able to accomplish during his career with the Saints. Heading into the offseason after the 2005 season the Saints were looking for new management and a quarterback. The city was recovering from the devastating damage from Hurricane Katrina and they needed someone to bring life back into the city after the natural disaster. Brees would decide to sign with the Saints after passing on going to the Miami Dolphins. He would agree to a six year, $60 million deal that would lock him in to suit up for New Orleans.

In his debut season with the Saints in 2006, Brees would go on to record 4,418 passing yards and 26 touchdowns. Brees was able to lead the Saints to the NFC Championship game in his debut season with the Saints, but they ultimately fell short against the Chicago Bears. From that season, he would go on to be the greatest quarterback in franchise history.

He became the first player in NFL history to pass for over 4,000 yards in 12 straight campaigns, including an NFL-record five 5,000 yard passing seasons. Brees would lead the Saints to their first Super Bowl win in franchise history in 2009 after New Orleans took down the Indianapolis Colts.

The Purdue product was named MVP of Super Bowl XLIV and would earn NFL Offensive Player of the Year twice throughout his tenure with the Saints. He would go on to break multiple records including the NFL’s all-time completions and passing yardage during the 2018 season. In his 19-year career in the NFL, Brees recorded 77,416 passing yards, 547 touchdown passes and a 98.4 passer rating. He would decide to hang up his cleats after the 2020 season and would go down as an all-time legend for the Saints.