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The New Orleans Saints didn't find a lot of success early in franchise history, but in the last decade-plus that has all changed. There has been some good draft picks the last 10 years, but even when the Saints had bad teams, they still had some elite picks that changed their franchise's history.
Let's break down the five best draft picks in Saints' history.
5. Alvin Kamara, 2017, Pick 67
By the time running back Alvin Kamara's career comes to a close, he could be much higher on this list. Kamara was drafted with the 67th-overall pick in the 2017 draft, and quickly burst onto the scene.
In 2017, Kamara only started three games, rushing for 728 yards and eight touchdowns. He also caught 81 passes for 826 yards and five touchdowns.
Since then, Kamara has taken up the mantle as the Saints' lead back. So far, Kamara is averaging five yards per carry and has found the end zone 37 times as both a rusher and receiver.
4. Marques Colston, 2006 – Pick 252
Marques Colston is one of the most popular players in Saints history, and for good reason. After being a seventh-round pick, he started Week 1 of the 2006 season and never looked back.
Colston played all 10 of his seasons with the Saints, appearing in 146 games, catching 711 passes for 9,759 yards and 72 touchdowns. When he came to the team the team was looking for someone to replace Donte Stallworth and he was able to do that — and more.
3. Morten Anderson, 1982 – Pick 86
Having a kicker on the list might seem a bit odd, but Morten Anderson's reliability ensured that the Saints never had to worry about the kicker position while he was on the team. Anderson played 13 years with the Saints, hitting 302 of his 389 field goal attempts. He was also 412-for-418 on extra points. After leaving the Saints, Anderson played for the Atlanta Falcons, Kansas City Chiefs, Minnesota Vikings and New York Giants.
When Anderson retired from the NFL after the 2007 season, he was the Saints' all-time leading scorer as well as the NFL's leading scorer.
2. Deuce McAllister, 2001 – Pick 23
Deuce McAllister was selected 23rd overall in the 2001 draft, and he was a standout for the New Orleans Saints. McAllister played eight years with the Saints, rushing for 6,096 yards and 49 touchdowns. He also caught 234 passes for 1,720 yards and five touchdowns. McAllister's best season was in 2003, when he rushed for 1,641 yards and eight touchdowns.
McAllister was named to the Pro Bowl twice and was later put in the team's Hall of Fame. Currently, McAllister is the best running back in Saints history, but that could change depending on Kamara's career.
1. Archie Manning, 1971, Pick 2
Archie Manning was selected by the Saints with the second overall pick in the 1971 draft. Manning played 11 seasons with the Saints and was the best quarterback in franchise history until Drew Brees came along.
In 1980, Manning threw for 3,176 yards and 23 touchdowns. He wasn't surrounded with a lot of talent and they only won one game in that season.
During his time in New Orleans the team did not have an impressive win-loss record, but that had to do more with the team around him rather than Manning's individual play.
If Manning would have been playing with the Saints teams of the last few years, he would have a lot more wins to his name.
