Who is on your New Orleans Saints Mount Rushmore? Bleacher Report made their picks earlier this week, but they didn’t quite hit the mark — overlooking players already representing the Saints at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in favor of modern-day fan favorites isn’t what we were looking for. When looking for the best four players in franchise history, accomplishments like Pro Bowls and All-Pro votes matter more than sentimentality.
So our contributing writers here at Saints Wire made their own choices, and they each picked the same four players, though not in the same order nor with the same qualifiers in mind. What are the odds? Ballots were collected separately so there wasn’t anyone cheating off of someone else’s homework here.
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Do you agree with our picks? Or are there other deserving players you’d nominate? Let’s break down each selection.
Drew Brees
OAKLAND, CA – NOVEMBER 18: Drew Brees #9 of the New Orleans Saints walks out of the tunnel for their game against the Oakland Raiders at O.co Coliseum on November 18, 2012 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Come on. There can’t be an all-time list of greats if it doesn’t include Brees. He’s the most accurate passer in NFL history and makes a strong argument that no quarterback tops his ability to lead a rhythm/timing-based offense. — Bob Rose
This is the obvious one, greatest player in the team’s history, led the Saints to a Super Bowl victory and made them into one of the best teams in the sport for a stretch. I may not even be a fan of football if not for Brees. — Dylan Sanders
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Does this pick really need any explanation for any of those who watched him play? One of the greatest quarterbacks of all time, maybe the greatest depending on who you ask, the greatest free agent signing in franchise history, and the man who led the team to their only super bowl in team history, once deemed an impossible task. Statistically a legend, eye test says the same, fan favorite, amazing for the community, the best Saint there ever was, maybe ever will be. — Jeremy Trottier
It’s no surprise Brees is up here as one of the most prolific passers the league has ever seen. Leading the Saints to a Super Bowl after arriving in New Orleans is a moment that’ll forever be remembered. — Luke Loffredo
Rickey Jackson
18 Oct 1992: NEW ORLEANS SAINTS LINEBACKER RICKEY JACKSON (LEFT) BATTLES WITH AN UNIDENTIFIED PHOENIX CARDINALS OFFENDER DURING THE SAINTS 30-21 WIN AT SUN DEVIL STADIUM IN TEMPE, ARIZONA
Just like with Brees, there can’t be an all-time greats list unless Jackson is on it. The initial member of the iconic Dome Patrol foursome, Jackson was among the most intimidating defensive players of his era. Outside of Brees, Jackson should get little argument as the best Saints in history. — Bob Rose
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This is another easy one. He was the first real superstar that New Orleans back in the 80s and early 90s, leading the Dome Patrol towards his induction in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. — Dylan Sanders
This tends to be the combination of players you get whenever asked about the Mount Rushmore of Saints players, and for good reason. The “Dome Patrol” was by far and away the best linebacker/OLB core the team has ever had in its history, and Jackson was at the forefront with his production. While he has since been surpassed by Jordan in many categories, he is still one of the best players in franchise history, and a man who struck fear into the heart of opponents alongside his peers. — Jeremy Trottier
A cornerstone of the Dome Patrol and the first player inducted into the Hall of Fame primarily for his time as a Saint, Rickey Jackson was a relentless force off the edge. With over 120 career sacks and six Pro Bowls, he set the tone for defenses to come. — Luke Loffredo
Willie Roaf
Oct 17, 1993; Pittsburgh, PA USA; FILE PHOTO; New Orleans Saints tackle Willie Roaf (77) in action against Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Kevin Greene (91) at Three Rivers Stadium. Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports
The Saints have had a lot of very good offensive linemen in their history, but none was better than Roaf. A member of the NFL’s all-decade team for the 1990s and 2000s, Roaf is on a very short list in the discussion for best tackles in NFL history. — Bob Rose
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Another Hall of Famer and the bridge between the eras of Saints dominance. He made nine different All-Pro teams and is one of the best offensive linemen of all time. — Dylan Sanders
As someone who is extremely partial to offensive linemen, Roaf is the clear and definitive No. 1 in that category for the Saints. An anchor for many many years of Saints history, and a man who would not be pushed around no matter how hard the defense tried. It’s fair to say that he may be under-recognized despite all his achievements, which says everything you need to know. — Jeremy Trottier
A Hall of Famer and one of the most dominant edge protectors of his era, Willie Roaf racked up nine All-Pro honors and 11 Pro Bowl selections during his incredible career. — Luke Loffredo
Cameron Jordan
Sep 18, 2022; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan (94) stares at Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) and reacts to a play during the second half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
If I’m choosing best four to ever be associated with the Saints, my choice is Sean Payton. I went instead to go with players, where I’ll go Jordan in the narrowest of margins over Dome Patrol linebacker Sam Mills and honorable mention Marques Colston. Mills was spectacular on a spectacular defense. Jordan often had no such defensive talent around him, yet still managed to be a difference maker and a disruptive force with the impressive longevity of a 14-year ironman career. — Bob Rose
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There could maybe be some debate for who deserves the last spot on the Mount Rushmore, but I will give to to Cam. He has been an incredibly loyal player and has done it while being excellent on the field. He is the Saints all-time sack leader and will also be a Hall of Famer when all is said and done. — Dylan Sanders
The only active player who, at least for now, deserves the consideration. A long-time legend of the team who will surpass Brees in games played for the team as early as this year. One of the most productive defensive ends ever, an amazing character, and just an all around menace on the field for the large majority of the 2000s. — Jeremy Trottier
The franchise’s all-time sack leader has to be on the Saints’ Mount Rushmore. With 121.5 sacks and eight Pro Bowl nods (and counting), Cameron Jordan is well on his way to Canton sooner rather than later. — Luke Loffredo
This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: Who’s on your Saints Mount Rushmore? Our staff makes unanimous picks