Saints’ best draft picks all time by round

Photo By: Michael Bacigalupi

Da Boot Sports
4/6/2026
Article Courtesy of Crescent City Sports
By: Rene Nadeau


   Many are quick to point out how often the New Orleans Saints have missed on draft picks, but the franchise has also hit plenty of home runs and uncovered gems in the mid-to-late rounds.Three players who reside in the Saints’ Hall of Fame were selected in rounds that no longer exist. Before we reveal those names, see if you can recall who they are.

   Below is a ranking of top selections by round:

1st Round

• Willie Roaf (1993) – NFL Hall of Fame; widely considered one of the top 5–6 offensive tackles in NFL history
• Cam Jordan (2011) – 462 tackles; franchise-record 132 sacks; 242 starts
• Mark Ingram (2011) – No. 2 in franchise history in rushing yards
• Will Smith (2004) – 463 tackles, 67.5 sacks; Saints Hall of Fame
• Archie Manning (1971) – Saints Ring of Honor; SEC records stood for 43 years

2nd Round

• Rickey Jackson (1981) – NFL Hall of Fame; 128 sacks; franchise-record 1,173 tackles
• Michael Thomas (2016) – 2019 NFL Offensive Player of the Year; single-season record 149 catches
• Tracy Porter (2008) – Saints Hall of Fame; Super Bowl-clinching interception
• Tyler Shough (2025) – Current face of the franchise; rookie passing records
• Devery Henderson (2004) – Saints Hall of Fame; 245 receptions, 4,377 yards

3rd Round

• Alvin Kamara (2017) – All-time leading rusher and scorer in franchise history
• Jimmy Graham (2010) – Among the top tight ends in NFL history
• Pat Swilling (1986) – Saints Hall of Fame; 1991 NFL Defensive Player of the Year
• Rueben Mayes (1986) – Saints Hall of Fame; 1986 NFL Rookie of the Year
• Tommy Myers (1972) – Saints Hall of Fame; 36 interceptions

4th Round

• Morten Andersen (1982) – NFL Hall of Fame; 362 career games
• Jahri Evans (2006) – Saints Hall of Fame; 4-time All-Pro
• Joe Federspiel (1972) – Saints Hall of Fame; 130 games
• Jermon Bushrod (2007) – 2× Pro Bowl; 128 starts
• Joel Hilgenberg (1984) – Saints Hall of Fame; 97 starts

5th Round

• Thomas Morstead (2009) – Super Bowl champion; 18-year career
• Tyrone Hughes (1993) – Saints Hall of Fame; NFL single-game return record (347 yards)
• Carl Nicks (2008) – Saints Hall of Fame
• Bill Butler (1972) – 655 rushing yards; 46 receptions
• Rob Ninkovich (2006) – Later won 2 Super Bowls with New England

6th Round

• Fred McAfee (1991) – Saints Hall of Fame; special teams standout
• Johnnie Poe (1981) – 17 interceptions
• Floyd Turner (1989) – 1,808 receiving yards
• Glenn Redd (1981) – 68 games; 32 starts
• Al-Quadin Muhammad (2017) – 192 tackles; 26 sacks (career)

7th Round

• Marques Colston (2006) – Saints Hall of Fame; all-time leading receiver
• Eric Martin (1985) – Saints Hall of Fame; 7,854 yards
• Gene Atkins (1987) – 26 interceptions
• Kaden Elliss (2019) – 380 tackles over last 4 seasons
• Zach Strief (2006) – 158 games; 94 starts

8th Round

• Alvin Maxson (1974) – 1,205 rushing yards
• Toi Cook (1987) – 20 interceptions
• Bob Gresham (1971) – Team’s leading rusher in 1972

9th Round

• Mike Strachan (1975) – 1,902 rushing yards
• Joe Owens (1969) – 38 sacks
• Brian Hansen (1984) – 43.8-yard punting average
• Jim Otis (1970) – 1,076-yard season (with Cardinals)

10th Round

• Hokie Gajan (1981) – Led NFL with 6.03 yards per carry (1984)
• Robert Clark (1987) – 22 receptions, 283 yards
• Frosty Anderson (1974) – Nebraska product
• Jonathan Dumbauld (1986) – Defensive end
• Ernest Spears (1990) – Played 16 games as a rookie

11th Round

• Bob Pollard (1971) – Saints Hall of Fame; 37 sacks
• Pat Swoopes (1986) – 24 games
• Calvin Nicholson (1989) – Defensive back
• Tommy Morel (1969) – Former LSU standout
• Scott Ross (1991) – Linebacker

12th Round

• Jim Wilks (1981) – Saints Hall of Fame; 49 sacks
• Chris Port (1990) – 69 games; 50 starts
• Larry Hardy (1978) – 101 games; 960 yards
• Paul Orndorff (1973) – Became pro wrestling star “Mr. Wonderful”

13th Round

• Cephus Weatherspoon (1972) – 1 game
• Don Burchfield (1971) – 14 games
• Mike Truax (1974) – Tulane standout
• Bill Steltz (1967) – Guard

14th Round

• Bobby Scott (1971) – 9-year career
• Jim Hester (1967) – 22 catches; 354 yards
• Doug Sutherland (1970) – Later starred with Vikings
• Steve Barrios (1972) – Tulane receiving leader

15th Round

• Larry Cipa (1974) – 494 passing yards
• Rusty Lachaussee (1972) – Tulane QB
• Bart Graves (1971) – Defensive tackle/guard

16th Round

• Howard Stevens (1973) – Led NFL in returns (1974)
• Edd Hargett (1969) – 4 seasons with Saints
• Don Coleman (1974) – Linebacker
• Bruce Cortez (1967) – Defensive back
• Mike McDonald (1975) – Linebacker

17th Round

• Danny Abramowicz (1967) – Saints Hall of Fame; led NFL in receiving (1969)
• Doug Wyatt (1970) – 8 interceptions
• Greg Westbrooks (1971) – 5 sacks
• Jimmy Walker (1967) – Never played football; standout college basketball scorer

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