The Best New Orleans Saints Draft Choices From FBS Schools: Arkansas

Who is the best player the New Orleans Saints ever drafted from the Arkansas Razorbacks?

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 Arizona St.

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

When it comes to selecting the best player the Saints ever drafted from Arkansas, the choice is between defensive tackle Clovis Swinney (1970), quarterback Ronnie Lee South (1968), defensive back Reggie Jones (1991), offensive lineman Steve Korte (1983), and defensive tackle Wayne Martin (1989).

The pick: Wayne Martin

The pick here is going to be Martin, a defensive lineman, who played 11 years for the Saints, from 1989-1999.

After playing his college football at Arkansas, Martin was selected by the Saints in the first round of the 1989 NFL Draft.

A native of Forrest City, Arkansas, Martin was a reserve in his rookie season, totaling 18 tackles and 2.5 sacks.

The 6-foot-5, 275-pound Martin became a full-time starter at left defensive end over the next five seasons, including 1992, when he collected a career-high 15.5 sacks, and 1994, when he was named to the Pro Bowl.

After making the move to defensive tackle in 1995, Martin had three-consecutive seasons where he compiled double-digit sacks, giving him five double-digit sacks seasons (1992 & 1994-1997) over a six-year period.

Martin retired following the 1999 campaign.

In 11 NFL seasons, all with the Saints, Martin appeared in 171 games, including 155 as a starter, compiling 531 tackles, 82.5 sacks, and 13 fumble recoveries.

His sack total ranks Martin second on the all-time franchise list, behind former teammate Rickey Jackson.

Martin is a member of the New Orleans Saints Hall of Fame.