Top 50 New Orleans Saints of All-Time: No. 40-36

We’re back with another installment for the Top 50 New Orleans Saints of All-Time, which will take you into Sunday for the team’s home opener against the Oakland Raiders. Here’s a brief recap of our list so far, as it’s time for No. 40-36.

50. Tracy Porter
49. Scott Fujita
48. John Carney
47. Dave Whitsell
46. Tommy Barnhardt
45. Tyrone Hughes
44. Thomas Morstead
43. Michael Lewis
42. Tom Dempsey
41. Joe Johnson

40. Fred McAfee (1991-1993; 2000-2006)

Fred McAfee saw two separate stints with the New Orleans Saints. Because of that, he became the first Saint to be on three different division titles (1991, 2000, 2006) for the team. The best way to describe McAfee is like a utility player in baseball.

McAfee could run, catch, return, and play special teams. Speaking of special teams, his performance during the 2002 season sent him to the Pro Bowl and caused him to be selected as an All-Pro. McAfee is the Saints Director of Player Development.

39. John Hill (1975-1984)

John Hill, the pride of Lehigh University, played ten seasons with the Saints as a center. He was one of Archie Manning's favorite linemen and best friends on the prolific Saints offensive teams of the late 70s. Along with the likes of Dave Waymer, Reggie Lewis, Louis Oubre, and Brad Edelman, they'd record the very first 'Who Dat' chant in 1983 with Ron Swoboda.

Hill was an anchor on the offensive line, blocking for many great Saints running backs throughout his career. He was selected to the Saints Hall of Fame in 1992.

Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

38. Reggie Bush (2006-2010)

When you think of explosive play for the New Orleans Saints, you think of Reggie Bush. After the turmoil of the 2005 season, the Saints (3-13) went into a complete rebuilding mode. It started with head coach Sean Payton, some key free agent acquisitions like Drew Brees, and then the 2006 NFL Draft class. He accounted for 33 total touchdowns between rushing, receiving, and special teams during his time with the Saints.

Run Reggie, run!

37. Frank Warren (1981-1994)

Frank Warren was a monumental staple in the Saints defense for 14 years, totaling 52.5 sacks in the process. As the franchise's fifth-highest sack artist, Warren was worth every bit of a third-round pick and then some. The Auburn product played 189 games for the black and gold, and was inducted into the Saints Hall of Fame.

Sadly, Warren's life was cut short due to a heart attack at the age of 43.

Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

36. Jonathan Vilma (2008-2013)

The legacy of Jonathan Vilma is still talked about by many fans to this day. The two were a match made in heaven, and found each other at the perfect time. Vilma was traded to the Saints from the New York Jets in 2008 after spending the 2007 season on injured reserve.

Vilma returned to a true 4-3 middle linebacker spot with the Saints, and became the true leader of the team's defensive resurgence to help get them their first Lombardi Trophy. Naturally, Vilma was drug through the mud amid the Bounty Gate allegations, but came out on top. Outside of football, Vilma is a hell of a guy.