The NFL Draft can make a difference if teams are able to find franchise-changing players that can help change the trajectory of the team. The New Orleans Saints were able to accomplish that in two of its classes since the 2006 NFL season. The New Orleans Saints were selected in Mike Renner’s Top 10 NFL Draft classes since 2006. Here is his top 10:
Mike Renner’s Top 10 NFL Draft Classes Since 2006:
1. 2017 New Orleans Saints
2. 2010 Seattle Seahawks
3. 2018 Baltimore Ravens
4. 2012 Seattle Seahawks
5. 2014 Las Vegas Raiders
6. 2019 Tennessee Titans
7. 2010 Pittsburgh Steelers
8. 2016 Indianapolis Colts
9. 2006 Denver Broncos
10. 2006 New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints have had hit or miss draft classes, but 2006 and 2017 were two of the best draft classes for the black and gold. Here is a list of who the Saints selected in the 2006 and 2017 NFL Drafts:
2006 New Orleans Saints Draft Class:
Round 1, Pick 2: Reggie Bush, RB (USC)
Round 2, Pick 43: Roman Harper, DB (Alabama)
Round 4, Pick 108: Jahri Evans, OG (Bloomsburg)
Round 5, Pick 135: Rob Ninkovich, DE (Purdue)
Round 6, Pick 171: Mike Hass, WR (Oregon State)
Round 6, Pick 174: Josh Lay, DB (Pittsburgh)
Round 7, Pick 210: Zach Strief, OT (Northwestern)
Round 7, Pick 252: Marques Colston, WR (Hofstra)
This was an important draft for the Saints as they were coming off a 3-13 season and an offseason dealt with Hurricane Katrina ravaging the area, displacing the team. 2006 was the start of a new era for the Saints with first-year head coach Sean Payton and quarterback Drew Brees.
First-round selection Reggie Bush played a key role in the 2006 NFC championship game team and part of the squad that won the Super Bowl following the 2009 season. Safety Roman Harper, a second-round pick, played in a key role for eight seasons. Jahri Evans and Zach Strief become two of the most dominant interior lineman in the NFL. Marques Colston, the team’s 252nd selection, is arguably the greatest receiver in franchise history. Colston caught 68 of Drew Brees’ 396 career touchdown passes.
2017 New Orleans Saints Draft Class:
Round 1, Pick 11: Marshon Lattimore, CB (Ohio State)
Round 1, Pick 32: Ryan Ramczyk, OT (Wisconsin)
Round 2, Pick 42: Marcus Williams, S (Utah)
Round 3, Pick 67: Alvin Kamara, RB (Tennessee)
Round 3, Pick 76: Alex Anzalone, LB (Florida)
Round 3, Pick 103: Trey Hendrickson, DE (Florida Atlantic)
Round 6, Pick 196: Al-Quadin Muhammad, DE (Miami)
The New Orleans Saints put together one of the best draft classes in franchise history in 2017. To this date it is looked to be one of the most decorated rookie classes in NFL history. Marshon Lattimore was the first to go off the board for the Saints and from there Mickey Loomis was able to find some hidden gems.
Marshon Lattimore, 11th overall pick, went on to have a successful rookie season with 53 tackles, five interceptions and 18 pass deflections. Lattimore went on to win Defensive Rookie of the Year honors and was a Pro Bowl selection that season. Ramczyk started every game during the 2017 season and was the focal point of the Saints offensive line. Marcus Williams, the 42nd selection of the draft, had 15 starts in his rookie season where he came up with seven pass deflections and 71 total tackles.
The biggest steal of the draft came in the third round when the Saints selected Alvin Kamara. Kamara was a great one-two punch with Mark Ingram in the backfield. In his rookie season, Kamara played 16 games and rushed for 728 yards on 120 carries for eight touchdowns. Kamara also added 826 yards on 81 receptions and five touchdowns. Kamara was selected to the Pro Bowl and also voted Offensive Rookie of the Year.