Our top-20 series continues as we shift to the defensive side of the ball, highlighting the New Orleans Saints‘ all-time sack leaders. This list features some of the most disruptive forces to ever wear the black and gold — players who built their legacies by living in opponents’ backfields.
A current All-Pro linebacker makes a surprise appearance at the 20th spot, while a pair of beloved fan favorites sit near the top, each playing a key role in establishing the dominant defenses of the Sean Payton era. And at the very top, another active Saint is on the brink of history, needing just two more sacks to pass a Pro Football Hall of Famer and claim the franchise record. At least unofficially.
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Before we get into the list, we should note that sacks have only been tracked officially since 1982. But the team at Pro Football Reference went back further and did the work to chart sacks in years beyond that. That’s why Rickey Jackson (who had 8 unofficial sacks in his 1981 rookie season) still places ahead of Cameron Jordan, who was officially named the franchise sacks leader during the 2022 season.
So while this is an unofficial list, as PFR’s work has not been double-checked by the NFL, ESPN, or another major outlet, it’s still worth remembering the guys who made key plays before they were given full credit for it. Here are the (unofficial) top 20 sack leaders in New Orleans Saints history:
1. Rickey Jackson (1981-1993): 123 sacks
3 NOV 1991: NEW ORLEANS SAINTS LINEBACKER RICKEY JACKSON #57 TRIES TO AVOID THE BLOCK OF LOS ANGELES RAMS OFFENSIVE LINEMAN JACKIE SLATER #78 DURING THE SAINTS 24-17 WIN AT ANAHEIM STADIUM IN ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA.
2. Cameron Jordan (2011-2024): 121.5 sacks
October 21, 2012; Tampa, FL, USA; New Orleans Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan (94) reacts after he stopped the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on fourth down and goal during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. New Orleans Saints defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 35-28. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
3. Wayne Martin (1989-1999): 82.5 sacks
24 Sep 1989: Defensive end Wayne Martin of the New Orleans Saints in action during a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Tampa Stadium in Tampa, Florida. The Buccaneers won the game 20-10. Mandatory Credit: Allen Steele /Allsport
4. Pat Swilling (1986-1992): 76.5 sacks
17 Nov 1991: Linebacker Pat Swilling of the New Orleans Saints moves down the field during a game against the San Diego Chargers at Jack Murphy Stadium in San Diego, California. The Chargers won the game, 24-21.
5. Will Smith (2004-2012): 67.5 sacks
Feb 2, 2010; Miami, FL, USA; New Orleans Saints defensive end Will Smith during media day for Super Bowl XLIV at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-USA TODAY Sports
6. Frank Warren (1981-1994): 56 sacks
SAN FRANCISCO – DECEMBER 11: Defensive end Frank Warren #73 and linebacker Pat Swilling #56 of the New Orleans Saints pressures the San Francisco 49ers offense during the game at Candlestick Park on December 11, 1988 in San Francisco, California. The 49ers won 30-17. (Photo by George Rose/Getty Images)
7. Joe Johnson (1994-2001): 50.5 sacks
4 DEC 1994: LOS ANGELES RAMS” QUARTERBACK CHRIS MILLER TRIRES TO EVADE THE NEW ORLEANS DEFENSE OF DARION CARTER #58, FRANK WARREN #73 AND JOE JOHNSON #94, DURING THE FIRST HALF AT ANAHEIM STADIUM IN ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Dunn/ALL
8. La’Roi Glover (1997-2001): 50 sacks
4 Nov 2001: La”Roi Glover of the New Orleans Saints reacts during the game against the New York Jets at Lousiana Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Jets beat the Saints 16-9. DIGITAL IMAGE. Mandatory Credit: Ronald Martinez/Allsport
9. Jim Wilks (1981-1993): 49 sacks
SAN FRANCISCO – SEPTEMBER 16: Linebacker Jim Kovach #52 and defensive end Jim Wilks #94 of the New Orleans Saints attempt to block a kick by Ray Wersching #14 of the San Francisco 49ers during a game at Candlestick Park on September 16, 1984 in San Francisco, California. The 49ers won 30-20. (Photo by George Rose/Getty Images)
10. Derland Moore: (1973-1985): 48 sacks
Aug 10, 2024; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Detailed view of a New Orleans Saints helmet during a preseason NFL game at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
11. Charles Grant (2002-2009): 47 sacks
Oct. 26, 2008; London, ENGLAND; New Orleans Saints defensive end Charles Grant (94) bats the ball to force a punt during the third quarter of a regular season NFL International Series game against the San Diego Chargers at Wembley Stadium in London, England. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Tied-12. Darren Howard (2000-2005): 44.5 sacks
29 Oct 2000: Defensive end Darren Howard #93 of the New Orleans Saints is pushing with tackel Anthony Clement #65 during the game against the Arizona Cardinals at the Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Arizona. The Saints defeated the Cardinals 21-10. Mandatory Credit: Todd Warshaw /Allsport
Tied-12. Renaldo Turnbull (1990-1996): 44.5 sacks
TEMPE, AZ – OCTOBER 18: Defensive end Renaldo Turnbull #97 of the New Orleans Saints moves against Rick Cunningham #64 of the Phoenix Cardinals at Sun Devil Stadium on October 18, 1992 in Tempe, Arizona. The Saints defeatd the Cardinals 30-21. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)
14. Elois Grooms (1975-1981): 42.5 sacks
Aug 24, 1984; St. Louis, MO, USA; FILE PHOTO; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Archie Manning (4) is sacked by St. Louis Cardinals defensive tackle Elois Grooms (78) and Bob Harris (50) during a pre-season game at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Herb Weitman-USA TODAY Sports
15. Bruce Clark (1982-1988): 39.5 sacks
SAN FRANCISCO – SEPTEMBER 21: Defensive tackle Bruce Clark #75 of the New Orleans Saints closes in quarterback Jeff Kemp #9 of the San Francisco 49ers during the game at Candlestick Park on September 21, 1986 in San Francisco, California. The 49ers won 26-17. (Photo by George Rose/Getty Images)
16. Joe Owens (1971-1975): 38 sacks
Aug 26, 2022; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; A detailed view of New Orleans Saints helmets during the game against the Los Angeles Chargers in the first half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
17. Bob Pollard (1971-1977): 37 sacks
Sep 22, 1974; Los Angeles, CA, USA; FILE PHOTO; Los Angeles Rams running back John Cappelletti (22) carries the ball around New Orleans Saints defensive end Bob Pollard (82) at the Coliseum. The Rams defeated the Saints 24-0. Mandatory Credit: Darryl Norenberg-USA TODAY Sports
18. Elex Price (1973-1980): 32 sacks
Jan 7, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Detailed view of the New Orleans Saints helmet during warmups against the Atlanta Falcons at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
19. Junior Galette (2010-2014): 31.5 sacks
Dec 23, 2012; Arlington, TX, USA; New Orleans Saints defensive end Junior Galette (93) celebrates a sack against Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (9) in the fourth quarter at Cowboys Stadium. The Saints beat the Cowboys 34-31 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
20. Demario Davis (2018-2024): 31 sacks
Dec 10, 2023; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) is sacked by New Orleans Saints linebacker Demario Davis (56) during the second half at the Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: New Orleans Saints franchise history: Ranking the top 20 sacks leaders