If you are a fan of the New Orleans Saints, you will probably be interested in knowing the best defensive players of all time to have ever played for the team.
The New Orleans Saints had a rough start in their history, but have improved dramatically over the last decade and a half. This is a squad that has finally won a Super Bowl, thanks largely to one of the best quarterbacks in NFL history.
Outside of him, though, the Saints have had a slew of talented players throughout the years. In this article, I will mention my top five.
5. Archie Manning
Even though Manning didn’t have much success with the Saints on the field, it had more to do with the guys around him than with his own quarterbacking ability.
Manning rushed for 21,734 yards, 115 touchdowns, and 156 interceptions throughout the course of his career. His win-loss record was dreadful (35-91-3), but he was more than that. Manning did everything he could to keep the Saints from becoming the NFL’s laughingstock. He was selected Offensive Player of the Year for the NFC in 1978.
4. Marques Colston
Michael Thomas will most likely pass him at some time, but for now, Marques Colston is the finest wide receiver the Saints have ever had.
He played 146 games in his career, catching 711 receptions for 9,759 yards and 72 touchdowns. He was a major contributor to the Saints’ Super Bowl victory in 2009. Despite his considerable accomplishments, Colston does not receive the recognition he deserves.
3. Willie Roaf
Willie “Nasty” Roaf is not just one of the finest offensive linemen in Saints history, but also in the NFL. In the 1993 draft, Roaf was chosen ninth overall. He was nominated to the Pro Bowl 11 times throughout his career for his outstanding ability in both the run and pass games. Roaf was also named to the All-Decade teams in the 1990s and 2000s.
2. Rickey Jackson
Jackson continues to lead the Saints in most defensive categories. In terms of forced fumbles, fumbles recovered, and sacks, he holds the record. Jackson was a member of the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival from 1981 through 1993. He played two more seasons with the San Francisco 49ers after leaving the Saints. He was chosen to the Pro Bowl six times and was inducted into the Hall of Fame after hanging up his cleats.
1. Drew Brees
Drew Brees is, without a question, the greatest player in Saints history. The Saints had been the laughingstock of the NFL for decades, but Brees helped turn that around. Brees spent 14 years with the Saints, starting 216 games and guiding them to a 133-83 record. Brees has thrown for 65,068 yards and 467 touchdowns to just 184 interceptions in his career. He also led the Saints to a Super Bowl triumph over the Indianapolis Colts, cementing his status as one of New Orleans’ most beloved citizens. Brees will undoubtedly be a first-ballot Hall of Famer in Canton, Ohio, whenever he retires from football.
