Of the Saints’ 31 picks, 26 were active last season, tying with two other teams for third-most in the NFL.
Better yet, at an 83.9% hit rate, the Saints had the second-best percentage when it comes to getting their money’s worth — considerably higher than the league-wide rate (71.8%). The only team with a higher mark was the Minnesota Vikings (27 of 32; 84.4%).
The Saints haven’t just find active players, however. They have found difference-makers.
Of the Saints’ 31 picks, 26 were primary starters at some point in their careers, as defined by Pro Football Reference. That rate tied for fourth-most in the NFL.
The Jacksonville Jaguars had the most primary starters (32), while the New England Patriots had the fewest (17).
Overall, the NFL produced 721 primary starters, 191 Pro Bowlers and 64 All-Pro first-teamers from the top three rounds of the draft from 2013-22.
Of the Saints’ 31 picks, six were selected to the Pro Bowl at least once, tying for fourth-most with seven other teams. Armstead is a four-time Pro Bowler, followed by 2015 pick Andrus Peat (three times), 2016 pick Michael Thomas (three times) and 2017 picks Marshon Lattimore (four times), Alvin Kamara (five times) and Trey Hendrickson (twice).
The Dallas Cowboys, Detroit Lions and Kansas City Chiefs tied for the most Pro Bowlers (10). The Patriots again had the fewest (three).
Raising the standards even higher: Of the Saints’ 31 picks, two were named first-team All-Pro (Thomas twice, Ryan Ramczyk once). That once again tied for fourth-most in the NFL with five other teams.
The Cowboys and Baltimore Ravens tied for most All-Pro first-teamers (five), while the Cincinnati Bengals were the only team with none.
In the end, you can shake and bake the ingredients however you like. The result is the same: In the NFL draft, the Saints may not sit at the head of the table.
But year in and year out, they dine like kings.
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