Backdraft: New Orleans Saints

BACKDRAFT SERIES: For 16 days leading up to the 2011 NFL Draft, we're rolling out capsule draft histories of each of the 32 NFL Teams.

Backdraft Series

Apr. 12 - Packers | Steelers

Apr. 13 - Bears | Jets

Apr. 14- Patriots | Falcons

Apr. 15- Ravens | Seahawks

Apr. 16- Saints | Eagles

Apr. 17- Colts | Chiefs

Apr. 18- Buccaneers | Giants

Apr. 19- Chargers | Raiders

Apr. 20- Jaguars | Dolphins

Apr. 21- Rams | Lions

Apr. 22- Vikings | Texans

Apr. 23- Redskins | Cowboys

Apr. 24- Titans | 49ers

Apr. 25- Browns | Cardinals

Apr. 26- Bengals | Bills

Apr. 27- Broncos | Panthers

2011 Draft Position:

• 24

 

First-Ever Draft Pick:

• Les Kelley, RB, Alabama (1st Round, 26th overall, in 1967)

 

Most Recent Draft Pick:

• Sean Canfield, QB, Oregon State (7th round, 239th overall, in 2010)

 

Hall of Famers Drafted:

• Rickey Jackson - 2nd Round (51st overall), 1981

 

First Overall Pick in the NFL Draft:

• 1981 – George Rogers, RB, South Carolina

 

Archie Manning	Rickey Jackson	Reggie Bush

Did you know?

The Saints traded their first round pick in each of their first three years of existence. However, that didn't mean that they couldn't participate in first round action. In 1967, as an expansion team they received the first and last pick of the round. They dealt the first pick to Baltimore. A year later, the Saints sent their first round draft pick to Green Bay and stuck with the seventh overall pick that was acquired from Minnesota. In 1969, New Orleans dealt their first rounder to San Francisco and selected 17th with a pick from the Vikings.

Over the years, the Saints have drafted quite well when it comes to first round draft picks. Here's a sampling of players the Saints drafted in the first round who became some of the team's more notable stars over the years: QB Archie Manning (1971), RB Chuck Muncie (1976), RB George Rogers (1981), DE Renaldo Turnbull (1990), T Willie Roaf (1993), and RB Reggie Bush (2006).
 

Quotable:

"I'm not trying to be a savior. I'm just trying to help win some games and maybe a Super Bowl someday."

Reggie Bush shared his philosophy during his first training camp after the Saints picked him as the second player overall in the 2006 NFL Draft.

 

Shop:

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Who in '11?

Post your comment with who you think the Saints should select in the first round on April 28. Why?