The greatest New Orleans Saints players of all time stretch from the lean Archie Manning years through the fearsome Dome Patrol defense and into the Drew Brees championship era. The franchise founded in 1967 finally reached the mountaintop with a Super Bowl XLIV title, backed by a roster full of Hall of Famers and record-setters. Here are the 10 greatest Saints ever, ranked.
1. Drew Brees (QB · 2006-2020)
The Super Bowl XLIV champion and game MVP who became the face of the franchise's golden era. A 13-time Pro Bowler, Brees retired as the NFL all-time leader in passing yards and completions.
2. Rickey Jackson (LB · 1981-1993)
The leader of the Dome Patrol and the first player enshrined in the Hall of Fame as a Saint, in 2010. A six-time Pro Bowler, he set franchise pass-rushing and fumble-recovery marks of his era.
3. Willie Roaf (OT · 1993-2001)
A 2012 Hall of Famer and dominant left tackle who anchored the Saints line through the late 1990s. He was a multiple-time First-Team All-Pro and Pro Bowl selection in New Orleans.
4. Morten Andersen (K · 1982-1994)
Known as The Great Dane, Andersen was the NFL's all-time leading scorer for years and a 2017 Hall of Famer. Most of his record scoring came in New Orleans across multiple Pro Bowl seasons.
5. Sam Mills (LB · 1986-1994)
The undersized, ferocious leader of the Dome Patrol nicknamed the Field Mouse, enshrined in the Hall of Fame in 2022. He made four Pro Bowls as a Saint and led the franchise in tackles in his era.
6. Cameron Jordan (DE · 2011-present)
The franchise all-time sacks leader and a cornerstone of the modern defense. A seven-time-plus Pro Bowler, he owns the most double-digit-sack seasons in team history.
7. Archie Manning (QB · 1971-1982)
The franchise's first iconic player and the face of the team through the lean 1970s. He earned a Pro Bowl nod in 1972 and was named NFC Player of the Year in 1978.
8. Pat Swilling (LB · 1986-1992)
A Dome Patrol pass-rusher and the 1991 NFL Defensive Player of the Year. He led the league with 17 sacks that season and earned multiple Pro Bowl selections.
9. Deuce McAllister (RB · 2001-2008)
The franchise all-time rushing leader with 6,096 yards and its rushing touchdown leader. The only Saint with four 1,000-yard rushing seasons, he made two Pro Bowls and entered the team Hall of Fame.
10. Marques Colston (WR · 2006-2015)
The franchise all-time leader in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns. A seventh-round-pick legend, he was a key target on the Super Bowl XLIV championship team.
Honorable Mentions
Vaughan Johnson (Fourth Dome Patrol linebacker, four straight Pro Bowls), Will Smith (Super Bowl XLIV starter and pass rusher), Alvin Kamara (2017 Rookie of the Year, dynamic dual-threat), Jahri Evans (Six-time Pro Bowl guard, Super Bowl XLIV anchor), Jonathan Vilma (Defensive captain of the title team), Tyrann Mathieu (Ball-hawking hometown safety and leader), Wayne Martin (Durable, productive pass rusher of the 1990s), Michael Lewis (Record-setting return man and Pro Bowler)
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