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

Who is the best player the New Orleans Saints ever drafted from the Arizona St. Sun Devils?

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 some schools, like Air Force, Appalachian St., Arizona, and South Alabama, in which the Saints never drafted a player.

Yesterday, we looked at the best player the Saints ever drafted from Alabama.

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

When it comes to selecting the best player the Saints ever drafted from Arizona St., the choice is between running back Mario Bates (1994), fullback Mike Karney (2004), fullback Terrelle Smith (2000), and defensive end Vernon Verdon (2005).

The pick: Mario Bates

The pick here is going to be Bates, a running back, who played four years for the Saints, from 1994-1997.

After concluding his college career at Arizona St., Bates was selected by the Saints in the second round of the 1994 NFL Draft..

The primary starter at running back from 1994-1996, and a part-time starter in 1997, Bates rushed for 2,554 yards and 21touchdowns.

His best season was in 1995, when he rushed for 951 yards and 7 touchdowns, both career-highs.

After Bates left the Saints following the 1997 season, he went to the Arizona Cardinals, where he played for two seasons, before finishing out his career with the Detroit Lions in 1999.

A native of Victoria, Texas, Bates accumulated 3,048 yards and 38 touchdowns, to go along with 65 receptions for 419 yards in his seven NFL seasons.