Top 50 New Orleans Saints of All-Time: No. 15-11

The New Orleans Saints organization has had its fair share of ups and downs, and the same can be said about the thousands of players that have come and gone in the past 50 years. We continue honoring the All-Time Top 50 by counting down No. 15-11.

As customary, let’s recap before giving you the next five choices that come before we crack the Top 10.

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
39. John Hill
38. Reggie Bush
37. Frank Warren
36. Jonathan Vilma
35. Derland Moore
34. Jim Wilks
33. Aaron Brooks
32. Jim Dombrowski
31. Will Smith
30. Sammy Knight
29. Hoby Brenner
28. Stan Brock
27. Jahri Evans
26. Dave Waymer
25. La’Roi Glover
24. Tom Myers
23. Wayne Martin
22. Steve Gleason
21. Jimmy Graham
20. Bobby Hebert
19. Henry Childs
18. Tony Galbreath
17. Chuck Muncie
16. Pierre Thomas

New Orleans Saints

15. Danny Abramowicz (1967-1973)

Danny Abramowicz wasn't expected to do much in the NFL, so much so that he was the New Orleans Saints' 17th Round choice in 1967 (No. 420 overall). Scouts said Abramowicz didn't have enough speed, but that didn't stop him. It wasn't until the Saints' seventh game of the season that Abramowicz broke out, finishing with 12 receptions for 156 yards in a losing effort to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The receiver went on to finish in the NFL's Top 10 from 1968-1970 in receptions and receiving yards, and also was a Top 10 receiver in receiving touchdowns in 1968 and 1972. Abramowicz is the franchise's fourth-highest in receiving yards with 4,875 total yards.

14. George Rogers (1981-1984)

Following the embarrassing 1980 season, the Saints wound up with the first overall pick in the 1981 draft. They selected South Carolina's George Rogers, who brought life back to the team. As a rookie, Rogers led the league with 1,674 rushing yards.

At the time, that was an NFL record. Rogers was rewarded with a Pro Bowl appearance and NFL Rookie of the Year honors, and would go on to have several strong seasons alongside quarterback Archie Manning.

13. Eric Martin (1985-1993)

Before Joe Horn and Marques Colston, there was Eric Martin. The seventh-round pick out of LSU had three 1,000-yard receiving seasons, and made the Pro Bowl in 1988 after a career high 85 receptions. He's still the franchise's second-highest receiver in yards (7,854) and receptions (532).

Martin was an extremely versatile wide receiver who could make the tough catches in traffic and stretch the field. No disrespect is intended, but had it been a Drew Brees throwing to Martin over Bobby Hebert, there's no telling what this late-round gem could have done.

12. Dalton Hilliard (1986-1993)

Call it a major coincidence that two former LSU players go back-to-back on this list, but putting Dalton Hilliard up here is warranted. In the 108 games Hilliard played in, which is a record for any Saints running back, the Louisiana native racked up 4,164 rushing yards (third-most) and 39 rushing touchdowns (second-most).

Hilliard also added 2,233 receiving yards (17th) and 14 touchdowns in the Saints' passing attack. His career year in 1989 (1,362 rushing yards, 13 rushing touchdowns, 514 receiving yards, 5 receiving touchdowns) led to a Pro Bowl selection, and he was inducted into the Saints Hall of Fame in 1998 with legendary linebacker Sam Mills.

11. Vaughan Johnson (1986-1993)

Our first member of the famous Dome Patrol to appear on this list is Vaughan Johnson. Johnson was a four-time Pro Bowler from 1989-1993, and developed a knack for being the thumper of Jim Mora's defense. Mora was quoted as saying that he didn't know anyone that hit harder than Johnson. The North Carolina native is still third-highest on the team in tackles (664), and was a dominant force as the team's right inside linebacker. Fittingly, Johnson entered the Saints Hall of Fame with partner in crime Pat Swilling in 2000.