Best New Orleans Saints Draft Choices From FBS Schools: Washington St.

Who is the best player the New Orleans Saints ever drafted from the Washington St. Cougars?

From May 1 until the start of the 2016 NFL season on September 11, we’re going to list the best players that the Saints ever drafted from all 128 FBS schools, as of 2015.

Of course, there are a number of schools, including Air Force, Appalachian St., Arizona, Army, Baylor, Boise St., Bowling Green, Buffalo, Central Florida, Central Michigan, East Carolina, FAU, FIU, Hawaii, ULM, Miami (Ohio), Marshall, Middle Tennessee, Navy, Nevada, New Mexico, New Mexico St., Ohio, Rice, Rutgers, San Jose St., South Alabama, South Florida, Southern Miss, TCU, Temple, Texas St., Toledo, Troy, and UTEP, in which the Saints have never drafted a player.

Earlier, we looked at the best player that the Saints ever drafted out of Washington.

Today, we spotlight the best player the Saints ever drafted from Washington St..

When it comes to deciding who the best player from Washington St., ever drafted by the Saints is, the choice is limited to linebacker Mark Fields (1995), linebacker Brian Forde (1988), running back Andrew Jones (1975), Rueben Mayes (1986), and defensive back Don Schwartz (1978).

Mayes, a running back, who played four years for the Saints, is the pick here.

After finishing his college career at Washington St., where he was an All-American, Mayes was selected by the Saints in the third round of the 1986 NFL Draft.

A native of North Battleford Saskatchewan in Canana, Mayes made an immediate impact, rushing for 1,353 yards and 8 touchdowns in his rookie year, while winning the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Award, as well as a Pro Bowl honor.

Injuries cost Mayes four games in 1987, yet he still managed 917 rushing yards and five touchdowns, while garnering another Pro Bowl honor.

The injuries continued to mount for Hayes however, as he was limited to nine starts in 1988, before missing the entire 1989 season.

Mayes returned in 1990, rushing for 510 yards and 7 touchdowns, before moving on to the Seattle Seahawks, where he played the last two years of his career.

In four seasons with the Saints, Mayes rushed for 3,408 yards and 23 touchdowns, ranking him 5th and tied for 6th, respectively, on the all-time franchise charts.

In six NFL seasons, the 5-foot-11, 200-pound Mayes 3,484 yards and 23 scores.