Canal Street Chronicles
An overview of the players that fans think are the best in franchise history.
Since coming to fruition in 1967, the New Orleans Saints have had their fair share of talented players, legends, and even Hall of Famers. There is no shortage of guys who have had an impact on the franchise, big or small, but which players have been the cream of the crop in the Big Easy? Let’s take a look at this list of the Best New Orleans Saints of All-Time:
QB, Drew Brees (2006-2020)
LT, Willie Roaf (1993-2001)
LB, Rickey Jackson (1981-1993)
WR, Marques Colston (2006-2015)
DE, Cameron Jordan (2011-present)
HB, Deuce McAllister (2001-2009)
HB, Alvin Kamara (2017-present)
LB, Sam Mills (1986-1994)
LB, Pat Swilling (1986-1992)
DE, Will Smith (2004-2013)
Ranker.com utilizes fan-made polls and voting ballots to organize categories into easy-to-view lists, charts, and diagrams. At the time of writing, the above list was compiled between more than 4,600 fan votes and was last updated in April of 2025.
As the rankings currently sit, there are two players on the Saints’ active roster in Jordan and Kamara. Will either move up the list before their time in New Orleans comes to an end? Also just squeaking into the top-ten is the late, great Will Smith who we sadly lost in 2016.
Three of the four members from the famed “Dome Patrol” linebacking unit made their way into the list. Vaughan Johnson, along with Jackson, Mills, and Swilling led one of the most dominant defensive forces in NFL history through the late 80s to early 90s.
Some players that were ranked just outside of the top-ten were Morten Andersen, Archie Manning, Joe Horn, Demario Davis, and Terron Armstead.
What are your thoughts on these rankings? Do you agree or disagree? Who is missing from the list? Who would you swap out? Let us know in the comments below!
