Top five free agency signings in New Orleans Saints history

Number three free agency signing in Saints history: Darren Sproles - Running back (2011)

Darren Sproles burst onto the NFL scene, filling in for an injured Ladanian Tomlinson during a Wild Card playoff game against Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts. He led the Chargers with 105 rushing yards, 45 receiving yards, and 178 return yards. His 328 all-purpose yards would be the third most all-purpose yards by a player in NFL playoff history. He also scored twice including the game-winner in overtime. Given his size, it was something to behold.

After two more seasons with the Chargers, Sproles would bolt (couldn't resist) to the Big Easy, signing a four-year $14 million contract with the Saints that included $6 million guaranteed. To say the Saints got their money's worth would be the understatement of the century.

Sproles would become one of the most dangerous offensive weapons in all of football, and with Sproles, Drew Brees and company on offensive, the Saints became a machine on that side of the ball. Sproles, would eventually be traded to the Philadelphia Eagles in 2014 for a fifth-round pick, to the heartbreak of Saints fans everywhere, and Drew Brees.

After the trade, Brees said that "You only see a Darren Sproles type of player come around once in your career." He was right.