Most Famous New Orleans Saints Players

A deck by Paolo Brennan · 39 cards

The most renowned players ever to wear the fleur-de-lis, ranked by Wikipedia reach.

Champ Bailey

Roland "Champ" Bailey Jr. is an American former professional football player who was a cornerback in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Georgia Bulldogs, where he earned consensus All-American honors, and was selected by the Washington Redskins in the first round of the 1999 NFL draft.

Darren Sharper

Darren Mallory Sharper is an American former professional football safety and convicted rapist who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 14 seasons. He played college football for the William & Mary Tribe and was selected in the second round of the 1997 NFL draft by the Green Bay Packers, where he spent eight seasons. Sharper played his next four seasons with the Minnesota Vikings and his final two with the New Orleans Saints.

John Kuhn

John Allen Kuhn is an American former professional football player who was a fullback in the National Football League (NFL). After playing college football for Shippensburg University, he was signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers as an undrafted free agent in 2005. Kuhn earned a Super Bowl ring in his first year with the Steelers in Super Bowl XL, and another as a member of the Green Bay Packers, five years later in Super Bowl XLV. He was named to three Pro Bowls, all as a Packer.

Ricky Williams

Errick Miron, known professionally as Ricky Williams, is an American former professional football player who was a running back for 11 seasons in the National Football League (NFL) and one season in the Canadian Football League (CFL).

Paul Orndorff

Paul Parlette Orndorff Jr., nicknamed "Mr. Wonderful", was an American professional wrestler and football player, best known for his appearances with the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) and World Championship Wrestling (WCW).

Marques Colston

Marques E. Colston is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Hofstra Pride, and was selected by the New Orleans Saints in the seventh round of the 2006 NFL draft. He helped the Saints achieve victory in Super Bowl XLIV with seven receptions for 83 yards against the Indianapolis Colts. He is the Saints' all-time franchise leader in receiving yards, yards from scrimmage, receiving touchdowns, and total receptions. Despite favorable statistics compared to other Pro Bowl or All-Pro players in the same position like Brandon Marshall and Reggie Wayne, Colston was never selected for either in his career. Colston is often regarded as arguably one of the greatest players in NFL history to never have been selected to a Pro Bowl or All-Pro Team.

Sedrick Ellis

Sedrick Dwayne Ellis is an American former professional football player who was a defensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the University of Southern California (USC), and earned unanimous All-American honors. He was selected by the New Orleans Saints seventh overall in the 2008 NFL draft.

Darren Sproles

Darren Lee Sproles is an American professional football executive and former running back. He is currently serving as a coaching intern for the Houston Texans of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Kansas State Wildcats, earning first-team All-American honors and becoming the school's all-time leading rusher. Sproles was selected by the San Diego Chargers in the fourth round of the 2005 NFL draft. He also played for the New Orleans Saints and the Eagles. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2021.

Jonathan Vilma

Jonathan Polynice Vilma is an American color analyst and former professional football player in the National Football League (NFL). He played as a linebacker and was a three-time Pro Bowl selection.

Coby Fleener

Jacoby Fleener is an American former professional football player who was a tight end in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Stanford Cardinal, earning first-team All-American honors in 2011. Fleener was selected by the Indianapolis Colts in the second round of the 2012 NFL draft. He also played for the New Orleans Saints.

Heath Shuler

Joseph Heath Shuler is an American former politician and professional football quarterback who served as the U.S. representative for North Carolina's 11th congressional district from 2007 to 2013. The district covers the Blue Ridge Mountains in Western North Carolina. A member of the Democratic Party, he played in the National Football League (NFL) for five seasons prior to his political career.

Jeremy Shockey

Jeremy Charles Shockey is an American former professional football player who was a tight end in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Miami Hurricanes, earning first-team All-American honors in 2002. He was selected by the New York Giants in the first round of the 2002 NFL draft as the 14th pick.

Jack Del Rio

Jack Louis Del Rio Jr. is an American professional football coach and former linebacker who is the head coach of the Paris Musketeers of the European Football Alliance (EFA). He played college football for the USC Trojans from 1981 to 1984 and was selected by the New Orleans Saints in the third round of the 1985 NFL draft. Del Rio also played for the Kansas City Chiefs, Dallas Cowboys, Minnesota Vikings, and Miami Dolphins before retiring in 1996.

Doug Atkins

Douglas Leon Atkins was an American professional football defensive end who played for the Cleveland Browns, Chicago Bears, and New Orleans Saints in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Tennessee Volunteers under head coach Robert Neyland. He is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame and the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Atkins was also drafted to the NBA in the 17th round by the Minneapolis Lakers in the 1953 NBA draft.

Tom Dempsey

Thomas John Dempsey was an American professional football player who was a placekicker in the National Football League (NFL) for the New Orleans Saints, Philadelphia Eagles, Los Angeles Rams, Houston Oilers and Buffalo Bills. Unlike the "soccer-style" approach which was becoming more widely used during his career, Dempsey's kicking style was the then-standard straight-toe style. With the Saints in 1970, he made a 63-yard field goal, setting an NFL record which stood for 43 years.

Scott Fujita

Scott Anthony Fujita is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker for 11 seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the California Golden Bears. He was selected by the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2002 NFL draft. He played in the NFL for the Chiefs, Dallas Cowboys, New Orleans Saints, and Cleveland Browns. He was a member of the 2009 Saints team that won Super Bowl XLIV, defeating the Indianapolis Colts.

Ken Stabler

Kenneth Michael Stabler was an American professional football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 17 seasons, primarily with the Oakland Raiders. Nicknamed "Snake", he played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide and was selected by the Raiders in the second round of the 1968 NFL/AFL draft. During his 10 seasons in Oakland, Stabler received four Pro Bowl selections and was named Most Valuable Player in 1974. Stabler also helped the Raiders win their first Super Bowl title in Super Bowl XI. He was posthumously inducted to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2016.

Brandon Browner

Brandon Kemar Browner is an American former professional football player who was a cornerback in the National Football League (NFL) for the Seattle Seahawks, New England Patriots, and New Orleans Saints, and in the Canadian Football League (CFL) for the Calgary Stampeders. He played college football for the Oregon State Beavers before signing with the Denver Broncos as an undrafted free agent in 2005.

Trey Hendrickson

Trey Hendrickson is an American professional football linebacker for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Florida Atlantic Owls and was selected by the New Orleans Saints in the third round of the 2017 NFL draft. Hendrickson signed with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2021 and won the 2024 Deacon Jones Award after leading the NFL in sacks that season.

Shayne Graham

Michael Shayne Graham is an American former professional football player who was a placekicker for 15 seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Virginia Tech Hokies. He made his professional debut in May 2000 with the Richmond Speed of the Arena Football League's developmental league, af2.

Will Smith

Willard Carroll Smith II is an American actor, rapper, and film producer. Known for his work in both the screen and music industries, his accolades include an Academy Award, a Golden Globe Award, a BAFTA Award, and four Grammy Awards. Films in which he has appeared have grossed over $10 billion worldwide, making him one of Hollywood's most bankable stars.

Jim Taylor

James Charles Taylor was an American professional football player who was a fullback in the National Football League (NFL) for ten seasons, with the Green Bay Packers from 1958 to 1966 and with the expansion New Orleans Saints in 1967. With the Packers, Taylor was invited to five straight Pro Bowls and won four NFL championships, as well as a victory in the first Super Bowl. He was recognized as the NFL Most Valuable Player (MVP) after winning the rushing title in 1962, beating out Jim Brown. An aggressive player and fluent trash talker, Taylor developed several personal rivalries throughout his career, most notably with New York Giants linebacker Sam Huff. This confrontational attitude, combined with his tenacious running style, a penchant for contact, and ability to both withstand and deliver blows, earned him a reputation as one of the league's toughest players.

Cameron Jordan

Cameron Tyler Jordan is an American professional football defensive end for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the California Golden Bears, and was selected by the Saints in the first round of the 2011 NFL draft. A member of the NFL 2010s All-Decade Team, Jordan is an eight-time Pro Bowler, a three-time All-Pro selection, is the Saints' all-time franchise sack leader, and currently ranks 17th all-time in sacks.

Max Unger

Maxwell McCandless Unger is an American former professional football player who was a center in the National Football League (NFL) for 10 seasons. He played college football for the Oregon Ducks and was selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the second round of the 2009 NFL draft. Unger was the starting center for the Seahawks in Super Bowl XLVIII.

Drew Brees

Drew Christopher Brees is an American former professional football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 20 seasons. A member of the New Orleans Saints for most of his career, he is second all-time in career passing yards, career touchdown passes, and career pass completions, and third in career completion percentage. Brees also holds the record of consecutive games with a touchdown pass, with 54 games, breaking the record held by Johnny Unitas for fifty-two years. He is regarded as one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time. In 2026, Brees was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a first-ballot selection.

Benjamin Watson

Benjamin Seth Watson is an American former professional football player who was a tight end in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Duke Blue Devils and Georgia Bulldogs. Watson was selected by the New England Patriots with the 32nd overall pick in the first round of the 2004 NFL draft and won Super Bowl XXXIX with the Patriots in his rookie year. He also played in the NFL for the Cleveland Browns, Baltimore Ravens, and New Orleans Saints.

Mark Ingram

Mark Valentino Ingram II is an American former professional football running back and current on-air personality for Fox Sports. He played 12 seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide, becoming the first Alabama player to win the Heisman Trophy after rushing for 1,658 yards in 2009 en route to winning the 2010 BCS National Championship Game.

Dan Campbell

Daniel Allen Campbell is an American professional football coach and former tight end who is the head coach for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL). He previously played in the NFL for 11 seasons. Campbell played college football for the Texas A&M Aggies and was selected by the New York Giants in the third round of the 1999 NFL draft. He was also a member of the Dallas Cowboys, New Orleans Saints, and Detroit Lions.

Earl Campbell

Earl Christian Campbell, nicknamed "the Tyler Rose", is an American former professional football running back who played in the National Football League (NFL) for eight seasons, primarily with the Houston Oilers. Known for his aggressive, punishing running style, and ability to break tackles, Campbell gained recognition as one of the best power running backs in NFL history.

Garo Yepremian

Garabed Sarkis "Garo" Yepremian was an Armenian-Cypriot American football placekicker who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 15 seasons, primarily with the Miami Dolphins. During his nine seasons with the Dolphins, Yepremian led the league in scoring in 1971, received two Pro Bowl and two first-team All-Pro honors, and helped the Dolphins win back-to-back Super Bowl titles. Yepremian's first championship victory in Super Bowl VII occurred as a member of the 1972 Dolphins, the only team to complete a perfect season in NFL history. He also played for the Detroit Lions, New Orleans Saints and Tampa Bay Buccaneers before retiring in 1981.

Reggie Bush

Reginald Alfred Bush II is an American former professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the USC Trojans, earning consensus All-American honors twice and winning the 2005 Heisman Trophy. Bush is widely regarded as one of the greatest college football players of all time.

Dez Bryant

Desmond Demond Bryant is an American former professional football wide receiver who played in the National Football League (NFL) for nine seasons, primarily with the Dallas Cowboys. He played college football for the Oklahoma State Cowboys, earning consensus All-American honors as a sophomore in 2008. Bryant missed most of his junior season due to violating an NCAA bylaw.

Archie Manning

Elisha Archibald Manning III is an American former professional football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 14 seasons, primarily with the New Orleans Saints. The patriarch of the Manning football dynasty, he is the father of quarterbacks Peyton and Eli Manning.

Erik McCoy

Erik Christopher McCoy is an American professional football center for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Texas A&M Aggies.

Toni Fritsch

Anton K. "Toni" Fritsch was an Austrian footballer who later started a successful career in American football in the United States. He is distinguished as being the first Austrian to play in the National Football League (NFL). He is the only player in history to win professional titles in both association football and American football: he won the Austrian League in 1964, 1967, and 1968, and the Super Bowl in 1972.

Malcolm Jenkins

Malcolm Jenkins is an American former professional football player who was a safety for 13 seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Ohio State Buckeyes, earning consensus All-American honors, and winning the Jim Thorpe Award as a senior. He was selected by the New Orleans Saints in the first round of the 2009 NFL draft and played for the Philadelphia Eagles from 2014 to 2019.

Morten Andersen

Morten Andersen, nicknamed "the Great Dane", is a Danish-American former professional football kicker who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 25 seasons, most notably with the New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons. Following a career from 1982 to 2007, Andersen holds the NFL record for regular season games played at 382. He also ranks second in field goals (565) and points scored (2,544). In addition to his league accomplishments, he is the Saints all-time leading scorer at 1,318 points. Andersen was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2017. Along with Jan Stenerud and Adam Vinatieri, he is one of only three exclusive kickers to receive the honor.

Teddy Bridgewater

Theodore Edmond Bridgewater Jr. is an American professional football quarterback for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Louisville Cardinals, winning the 2013 Sugar Bowl, and was selected as the final first-round pick of the 2014 NFL draft by the Minnesota Vikings. During his second season, Bridgewater led the Vikings to a division title and earned Pro Bowl honors.

Jake Delhomme

Jake Christopher Delhomme is an American former professional football player who was a quarterback in the National Football League (NFL). Delhomme played college football at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, then known as the University of Southwestern Louisiana, before being signed by the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent after the 1997 NFL draft. Delhomme began his professional career as a practice squad player with the Saints in 1997 and 1998 and played in the NFL Europe for two years in between NFL seasons. Returning to the Saints, Delhomme played his first NFL games in 1999. Delhomme played as the Carolina Panthers starting quarterback from 2003 to 2009. Delhomme held many of Carolina's quarterback records until Cam Newton broke most of them. Delhomme led the team to Super Bowl XXXVIII in his first season with Carolina. After his departure from Carolina, Delhomme also played for the Cleveland Browns in 2010 and Houston Texans in 2011.