Best New Orleans Saints Draft Choices From FBS Schools: Florida

Who is the best player the New Orleans Saints ever drafted from the Florida Gators?

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, Eastern Michigan, and South Alabama, in which the Saints have never drafted a player.

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

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

When it comes to selecting the best player the Saints ever drafted from Florida, the choice is receiver Wes Chandler (1978), receiver Joel Parker (1974), linebacker Ronald Powell (2014), defensive back Fred Weary (1998), and quarterback Danny Wuerffel (1997).

The pick is going to be Chandler, a receiver, who played 3-plus season with the Saints, from 1978-1981.

A native of New Smyrna Beach, Florida, Chandler was selected by the Saints with the third-overall pick of the 1978 NFL Draft.

A 6-foot, 196-pound receiver, Chandler caught 35 passes for 472 yards and 2 touchdowns as a rookie, before having a terrific sophomore campaign, in which he compiled 65 receptions for 1,069 yards and 6 scores, good enough for him to be selected a Pro Bowler.

In 1980, Chandler had another good season, accumulating 65 catches for 975 yards and 6 touchdowns, in his last full season in New Orleans.

Chandler played in 4 games for the Saints in 1981, before being traded to the San Diego Chargers, where he named to the Pro Bowl in three different seasons.

After seven seasons with the Chargers, Chandler appeared in the 1988 season with the San Francisco 49ers, with who he played on season, prior to retiring.

In 3-plus season with the Saints, Chandler caught 182 passes for 2,801 yards and 15 touchdowns.

In 13 NFL seasons, Chandler compiled 559 catches for 8,966 yards and 56 scores.