New Orleans Saints: Greatest Draft Class of the Last 20 Years

The start of the 2023 NFL Draft is just a few weeks away, and it has us wondering what some of the greatest draft classes in the last 20 years were. Today, we will be taking a look back on the New Orleans Saints’ greatest draft class. Two options come to mind when asking this question. The two classes that are separated from the others are the 2006 and 2017 NFL Draft classes.

In the end, we chose the 2017 NFL Draft class as the greatest draft class for the Saints in the last 20 years. New Orleans was able to find franchise-changing players that helped change the trajectory of the team. The 2017 draft class for the Saints will go down as one of the best draft classes in franchise history and to this date it is looked to be one of the most decorated rookie classes in NFL history. Let’s take a look back at the Saints 2017 NFL Draft class:

Round 1, Pick 11: CB Marshon Lattimore

Saints CB Marshon Lattimore (23) – Parker Waters/Crescent City Sports

Marshon Lattimore has established himself as one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL during his tenure with the Saints. Lattimore has been selected to the Pro Bowl five times and earned NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year honors. In his rookie season in 2018, Lattimore started in all 13 games he played in. He totaled 53 tackles (44 solo), a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, five interceptions for 85 yards, and 18 passes defended. During his debut season in New Orleans, he led all NFL rookies in interceptions and tied for fifth in the league overall.

Moving ahead to the 2022 season, Lattimore started in all seven games he played in. The Ohio State product posted 29 stops (20 solo), one interception returned for a touchdown and defended four passes. Lattimore was able to guide a Saints defense that ranked second in the NFL in pass defense and fifth in total defense. Overall, Lattimore has registered 327 tackles, 14 interceptions, five forced fumbles, and 78 passes defended during his NFL career. He continues to prove his worth and show an impact on the Saints’ defense

Round 1, Pick 32: OT Ryan Ramczyk

Saints OT Ryan Ramczyk (71) – Eric Hartline/USA Today Sports

New Orleans would hold two picks in the first round thanks to the Brandin Cooks trade to the New England Patriots that granted the Saints the last pick in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft. That move ended up paying off as Ryan Ramczyk continues to be an important piece of a talented offensive line for New Orleans. During his rookie season in 2017, Ramczyk would start all 16 regular season games and both postseason games at right tackle. Since the 2017 season since Ramczyk joined the team, the Saints have the second-fewest sacks allowed (169).

Ramczyk would be named to the AP All-Pro team for three consecutive seasons, and he became a stalemate for the Saints’ offensive line. In 2022, Ramczyk would start in all 16 games for New Orleans. The talented offensive lineman has started in all 89 regular season games he appeared in. He has quickly cemented himself as one of the best linemen in the league, and Ramczyk has established himself as a dominant run blocker.

Round 2, Pick 42: S Marcus Williams

Saints S Marcus Williams (43) – Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images

Marcus Williams is no longer with the Saints after he was signed by the Baltimore Ravens before the start of the 2022 season, but he was able to show some flashes during his time in New Orleans. Every Saints fan wants to remember Williams for his defensive play in the ‘Minnesota Miracle,’ but outside of that, he played a key part in the Saints’ secondary. During his rookie season in 2017, Williams started in 15 games for New Orleans and immediately served as an impact on the defense. In 2017, Williams recorded 59 tackles, seven passes defended, and four interceptions.

In his 15 starts in his rookie season, Williams ranked second on the team in interceptions and came up with 71 combined tackles. The Utah product was prominent in the Saints’ secondary and proved to be worthy of the second-round pick in 2017. In his final season with the Saints in 2021, Williams registered 52 tackles, eight passes defended, two interceptions, and one forced fumble. He gained a reputation with his playmaking ability in the secondary and was an immediate contributor to the Saints’ defense.

Round 3, Pick 67: RB Alvin Kamara

Saints RB Alvin Kamara (41) – Chuck Cook/USA Today Sports

The biggest steal of the 2017 draft could be argued that it was when New Orleans selected Tennessee running back Alvin Kamara with their first pick in the third round of the draft. In his first season with the Saints, Kamara rushed for 728 yards on 120 carries for eight touchdowns. He would add 826 yards on 81 receptions and five touchdowns. Kamara would earn a Pro Bowl selection during his rookie season, along with being voted as the Offensive Player of the Year. Kamara has continued to show he is worthy of a roster spot and he has quickly become of the most electric running backs in the NFL.

The Tennessee product would earn five consecutive Pro Bowl selections, and he has become the most versatile offensive weapon in the league. In 2022, Kamara had 1,387 total yards from scrimmage, as he carried 223 times for 897 yards and two touchdowns. He would become the fastest running back in NFL history to reach 3,000 rushing yards and 3,000 receiving yards. Kamara became of the NFL’s highest-paid running backs and continues to show his dominance with the Saints’ offense.

Round 3, Pick 76: LB Alex Anzalone

Saints LB Alex Anzalone (47) – Bob Donnan/USA Today Sports

New Orleans spent their second pick of the third round by taking linebacker Alex Anzalone. Anzalone quickly made an instant impact on the Saints’ defense. Overall in three seasons in New Orleans, Anzalone posted 82 tackles, four sacks, one interception, three passes defended, and three forced fumbles. In his debut season in the NFL in 2017, Anzalone registered 16 tackles, one sack, and one pass defended.

Throughout his time in the NFL, Anazalone has shown that he has the versatility to play multiple positions on defense. The Florida product was part of a talented linebacking core in New Orleans. He would spend his final season with the Saints in 2020 before being picked up by the Detroit Lions heading into the 2021 season. In that 2020 season, Anzalone posted 14 tackles. He was able to overcome adversity throughout his time with the Saints, and he was able to fill a missing piece that was needed for New Orleans’ defense.

Round 3, Pick 103: DE Trey Hendrickson

Saints DE Trey Hendrickson (91) – Parker Waters/Crescent City Sports

The Saints wrapped up the third round by selecting defensive end Trey Hendrickson. Hendrickson proved to be one of the best pass rushers and he stepped onto the scene quickly in New Orleans. In his rookie season in 2017, Hendrickson recorded 13 tackles, two sacks, two passes defended, and a forced fumble. The Florida Atlantic product was able to earn more playing time heading into the 2020 season.

In 2020, Hendrickson recorded one of his best seasons in the NFL as he posted 13.5 sacks. His 13.5 sacks during the 2020 season would have him tied for first in the NFC. Hendrickson racked up 35.5 sacks since the 2020 season and that puts him at the top of the NFL charts in sacks. Hendrickson would finish his time with New Orleans in 2020 before signing with the Cincinnati Bengals. During the 2020 season, Hendrickson registered 22 tackles, 13.5 sacks, and one pass defended. Hendrickson became of the most underrated pass rushers in the NFL, and he was able to provide a spark to the Saints’ defensive line.

Round 6, Pick 196: DE Al-Quadin Muhammad

Saints DE Al-Quadin Muhammad (97) – Wesley Hitt/Getty Images

New Orleans would wrap up one of their best draft classes in the history of their franchise by selecting defensive end Al-Quadin Muhammad. Muhammad would only spend one season with the Saints, and he saw limited action with New Orleans. During the 2017 season, Muhammad only racked up one total tackle on the season, and after that, he would spend four seasons with the Indianapolis Colts.