New Orleans Saints: Ranking the 3 best first-round picks this decade
Mark Ingram: 2011, #28 Overall
The New Orleans Saints had a stellar 2011 NFL Draft after drafting All-Pro defensive end Cameron Jordan. Four picks later they selected a star running back by the name of Mark Ingram; a Heisman Trophy winner from Alabama.
Ingram played on the New Orleans Saints from 2011 through 2018 before departing the organization in the 2019 offseason to join the Lamar Jackson-led Baltimore Ravens.
More from Who Dat Dish
- Are the Saints playoff contenders or pretenders in 2022?
- 3 takeaways from Saints unofficial depth chart ahead of preseason opener
- Saints 2022 Training Camp: Top 5 takeaways from Day 13
- 3 things to know about new Saints QB K.J. Costello
- Kirk Merritt could be a difficult player for the Saints to cut
Ingram, a three-time Pro Bowler, played his best football in the black and gold and was the team’s best running back for over half a decade. Ingram, statistically, is the best running back in New Orleans Saints franchise history topping the charts on certain records including total rushing touchdowns.
Ingram ended his tenure in New Orleans with 1,321 carries for 6,007 rushing yards and 50 rushing touchdowns. He also tallied 315 first downs, 228 receptions, 1,598 receiving yards, and an additional five receiving touchdowns.
Upon the arrival of Alvin Kamara, Ingram and Kamara became the “Boom and Zoom” duo. Kamara being the zoom and Ingram being the boom with his powerful runs and ability to lower his shoulder to gain more yardage.
Mark Ingram comes in as the second-best player the Saints have selected in the first round in the past decade. Ingram was a game-changer for one of the best teams in the AFC last year as well.