The New Orleans Saints entered the 2010s decade as defending world champions after knocking off the Peyton Manning-led Indianapolis Colts in Super Bowl XLIV to earn their first and only league title. New Orleans would make the playoffs the following two years, headlined by their historic offensive campaign in 2011. After clinching their second 13-3 outing in three seasons, the 2012 Saints significantly regressed due to the infamous “Bountygate” scandal. Temporarily recovering with an 11-5 showing in 2013, the team would miss the postseason each of the subsequent three years in large part due to its horrendous defenses and failed off-season decisions. The Saints did finish the decade very strong–compiling a 37-11 regular season mark from 2017 to 2019–but heartbreaking playoff defeats overshadowed their dominance. Despite the disappointing January defeats, the 2010s was far and away the greatest decade in team history. Below are the most noteworthy contributors during the franchise’s golden age.
New Orleans Saints All-Decade Team: Offense
Quarterback: Drew Brees
Drew Brees was egregiously snubbed from the NFL’s All-100 team last winter, but he holds the unthreatened and unquestioned position as the Saints All-Decade passer. Two seasons removed from being named Super Bowl MVP, Brees broke Dan Marino’s single-season record with 5,476 passing yards to go on top of his league-best 46 touchdowns and 71.2 completion percentage. Passing for 5,000-plus yards for the second time in four seasons, Brees was named Second-Team All-Pro; he would continue his aerial tear by surpassing the plateau on three more occasions. Despite topping the passing charts throughout the decade, Drew Brees’ prolific production was underappreciated by the national media since the Saints finished 7-9 from 2014-2016, thanks to the aforementioned putrid defensive units and poor off-seasons. When Brees got the aid around them, he continued to lead New Orleans with his arm. The Future Hall of Famer concluded the 2010s with nine Pro Bowl selections, two All-Pro designations and his second Offensive Player of the Year honor. Even at his advanced age, the franchise’s greatest player still has the Saints championship window open.
Running Back: Mark Ingram
Historically speaking, Saints running backs peaked right away in their careers. From Offensive Rookie of Year winners George Rogers, Reuben Mayes and Alvin Kamara to Deuce McAllister’s 1,641-yard campaign in 2003, ballcarriers in New Orleans have made immediate impacts. Mark Ingram, however, proved to be an exception. Following his Heisman Trophy-winning collegiate career at Alabama, Ingram had a slow beginning to his NFL career with injuries and inconsistencies as a dual-threat contributor. In 2014, though, he earned his first Pro Bowl selection after setting personal bests in rushing yards (964) and rushing touchdowns (nine). Three years later, he and Alvin Kamara became the first rushing duo in NFL history to each tally 1,500-plus scrimmage yards in a single season. Signing with the Baltimore Ravens during the 2019 off-season, Ingram ranks second in Saints history with 6,007 career rushing yards.
Wide Receiver: Michael Thomas
Though he’s been a professional for only four seasons, the inclusion of Michael Thomas was a no-brainer. Putting forth a quietly strong 92-catch, 1,137-yard and nine-touchdown outing as a 2016 rookie, Thomas broke out with a franchise-record 104 receptions for 1,245 yards and five scores in 2017. With his Pro Bowl selection during his sophomore campaign, he became the first wide receiver during the Drew Brees-Sean Payton era to earn a trip to the NFL All-Star game. Thomas continued his receiving surge by resetting the Saints single-season receptions plateau with 125 in year three. Once again surpassing the team’s mark in 2019, Thomas broke Marvin Harrison’s 17-year NFL record with 149 grabs. With three Pro Bowl nods and two consecutive First-Team All-Pro acknowledgements, Michael Thomas has established himself as arguably the league’s top pass-catcher. Whatever the franchise decides to do at quarterback post Drew Brees, Michael Thomas will continue to be an all-world security blanket on the perimeter.
Wide Receiver: Marques Colston
Marques Colston concluded his career in 2015, but he’s statistically superior than essentially every other Saints wideout during the 2010s. From 2010-2012, Colston recorded at least 80 receptions for 1,023 yards and seven touchdowns each season. He retired as the Saints all-time leader in every significant receiving category. Though he was nicknamed “the quiet storm” during his pro days, his on-field productivity was greatly noticeable among Saints fans. To this day, it’s still criminal that he didn’t get a single Pro Bowl selection, but at least he’s currently enshrined in the team’s Hall of Fame.
Wide Receiver: Lance Moore
Lance Moore finished his tenure with New Orleans sooner than Colston in 2013, but the Saints dwindling depth at this position during the decade’s latter stages played a role in his inclusion on this roster. Moore narrowly edged out Brandin Cooks due to his play to begin the 2010s. After playing in only seven games in 2009, Moore recovered with 763 yards and eight touchdowns on 66 catches in 2010. He would post at least 52 receptions for 627 yards and six scores in each of the following two seasons. With his exceptional work in the slot, he was an invaluable piece in the Saints passing game during the team’s peak stretch with his catches on third down. He currently ranks top-eight in team history in receptions, yards and touchdowns.
Tight End: Jimmy Graham
Jimmy Graham hasn’t played in a Saints uniform since December 28, 2014, but he is far and away the team’s greatest tight end–decade wise and all-time wise. During his second season in 2011, Graham came onto the national scene with an outstanding 99-catch, 1,310-yard and 11-touchdown campaign to garner Second-team All-Pro honors. Compiling at least 85 receptions for 889 yards and nine scores every season from 2011-2014, Graham rivaled Rob Gronkowski of the New England Patriots as the best tight end in the NFL. The seam surgeon was a mismatch nightmare for opposing defenders weekly, especially in the red zone. Even though he left the franchise for the 2015 season, the Saints maintained their offensive dominance. Despite displaying productivity since his departure, Graham has yet to recapture his elite form from his black and gold days. Nonetheless, the things he accomplished in Louisiana cannot be disputed.
Left Tackle: Terron Armstead
Offensive tackle is arguably the Saints deepest position historically, and Terron Armstead has continued that Pro Bowl lineage. Battling injuries for much of his career, Armstead has been one of the team’s stalwarts when healthy. Starting 13 games in 2015, he was named as a Pro Bowl alternate after finishing as the third-best tackle in football by Pro Football Focus. In 2018, he earned his first actual All-Star selection to go along with a Second-Team All-Pro recognition. During his 15-game 2019 campaign, he made the Pro Bowl once again. Turning 29 in July, Armstead still has more solid football left to play.
Left Guard: Larry Warford
Though he was recently released by the team, Larry Warford deserved his space on this all-decade squad. Beginning his career with the Detroit Lions in 2013, Warford signed a four-year contract with the Saints before the 2017 season. During his three seasons with the franchise, he made it to the Pro Bowl each season. With the guard position being another area of strength for New Orleans in recent memory, Warford continued that high-quality play within the offensive interior.
Center: Max Unger
Coming to New Orleans via the shocking Jimmy Graham trade with the Seattle Seahawks, Max Unger proved to be one of the team’s better off-season acquisitions during the 2012-2016 stretch. A fixture along the frontline, Unger started 63 out of a possible 64 regular season games for the Saints. Making his only Pro Bowl with the team in 2018–the third of his NFL career–he was yet another blocker that helped Drew Brees stay upright in the pocket. Looking in hindsight five years later, the Saints definitely won the aforementioned trade with Seattle.
Right Guard: Jahri Evans
One of the first draft picks of the Brees-Payton era back in 2006, the second-greatest offensive lineman in franchise history remained a dominant presence in the 2010s. Closing out the 2000s with his first Pro Bowl selection and First-Team All-Pro honors, Jahri Evans was named an NFL All-Star five consecutive seasons from 2010-2014, including four straight All-Pro nods from 2010-2013. Being named to the NFL’s 2010s All-Decade Team, Evans should get serious consideration for a Pro Bowl Hall of Fame induction.
Right Tackle: Ryan Ramczyk
Not viewed as a popular draft selection by the Saints fanbase in 2017, Ryan Ramcyzk has proved to be an excellent addition to the team. Grabbed with the final pick of the first round, Ramcyzk has started 47 out of 48 regular season contests. Earning Second-Team All-Pro honors in 2018, the former Wisconsin Badger finished 2019 as a First-Team All-Pro blocker after surrendering zero sacks throughout the campaign. His stellar performance helped him place as the top-rated offensive tackle by Pro Football Focus. Due for a massive payday in the near future, he should be in New Orleans for the long run.
Be sure to check out the defensive players on the Saints All-Decade Team.
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