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

Who is the best player the New Orleans Saints ever drafted from the Kansas St. Wildcats?

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

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

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

When it comes to selecting the best player the Saints ever drafted from Kansas St., the choice is limited to running back Bill Butler (1972), receiver Eugene Goodlow (1982), defensive lineman Darren Howard (2000), and defensive lineman Melvin Williams (2003).

The pick is going to be Howard,  a defensive end, who played six seasons for the Saints, from 2000-2005.

A native of St. Petersburg, Florida, Howard, was drafted by the Saints in the second round of the 2000 NFL Draft.

The pick turned out to be a good one for the Saints, as Howard was a solid contributor for 6 seasons.

The 6-foot-3, 275-pound Howard was an immediate starter, playing and starting in all 16 games in his rookie season, while totaling 37 tackles, including an impressive 11 sacks, which turned out to be tied for his career-high, while helping the Saints to a playoff appearance, and their first-ever playoff win in franchise history.

Howard continued to be a force at both left and right defensive end, averaging over 30 tackles and 6 sacks over the next five seasons.

Following the 2005 season, Howard left the Saints, signing a free agent contract with the Philadelphia Eagles, where he compiled 22.5 sacks over four years, prior to retiring following the 2009 campaign.

In 6 seasons with the Saints, Howard played in 81 games, including 77 as a starter, accumulating 193 tackles, including 44.5 sacks, to go along with 10 fumbles recoveries and three interceptions.

In 10 total NFL seasons, Howard appeared in 145 games, including 93 as a starter, compiling 262 total tackles, including 67 sacks.