Saints Draft History at Number 29

The New Orleans Saints slipped back into the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft by trading the rights to former coach Sean Payton to the Denver Broncos. In the trade, New Orleans swapped a 2024 third-round choice for Denver's second-rounder in 2024. They also received the 29th overall selection in this year’s draft.

It's not the first time that the Saints have picked among the last selections of the first round. Largely because of the team’s success under Payton, New Orleans had eight picks between choices 24 and 32 during Payton's 16-year tenure alone.

Some of those late picks were highly successful. End Cameron Jordan (#24), RB Mark Ingram (#28), and OT Ryan Ramczyk (#31) are considered among the best players in franchise history. Wideout Robert Meachem (#27), CB Patrick Robinson (#32), and late-bloomer G Cesar Ruiz (24) had moderate success. LB Stephone Anthony (#31) was the only draft ''bust'' among the group, with 2021 28th overall selection Payton Turner trending that way.

Unless the Saints trade out of that #29 position, it also won't be the first time in franchise history they've selected a player in that spot. Here are the other two times that a player has come to New Orleans as the Number 29 overall draft selection.

1973 - Derland Moore, DT (Oklahoma)

Moore was the third pick in the second round of the 26-team NFL in 1973. He was the first of two second picks by the Saints that year and their first selection in the 1973 NFL Draft. Moore was also chosen ahead of such standout defenders like DE Harvey Martin, LB Jim Youngblood, LB Brad Van Pelt, and DE Barney Chavous.

Undersized even at the time for a defensive tackle, the 6'4" and 250-Lb. Moore still became an anchor for the Saints defensive line for the next 12 seasons. Sacks did not become an official NFL statistic until 1982. Moore was credited with 48 sacks for New Orleans from 1973 to 1985. He also had one interception and forced seven fumbles.

Moore played his final season with the Saints in 1985 and retired after one year with the Jets in 1986. He passed away in 2020.

Derland Moore was voted to the Saints 40th and 50th Anniversary teams. He was elected into the New Orleans Saints Hall of Fame in 1991, becoming just the seventh player to be inducted at the time.

A walk-on at Oklahoma before becoming an All-American, Moore was the highest drafted former walk-on in NFL history at the time of his selection. It was a distinction that would stand until QB Baker Mayfield was drafted Number One overall in 2018.

1981 - Russell Gary, S (Nebraska)

New Orleans made Gary the first pick of the second round of the 28-team NFL in 1981. The first overall choice of that draft was South Carolina RB George Rogers, who also went to the Saints and set a league record for rushing yards by a rookie on his way to NFL Rookie of the Year honors.

The 1981 NFL Draft was arguably the best in the franchise history of the Saints. It also brought NFL Hall of Fame LB Rickey Jackson in the second round as well as franchise Hall of Famers Rogers, DE Frank Warren, TE Hoby Brenner, RB Hokie Gajan, and DE Jim Wilks.

Gary was selected ahead of other eventual standouts like QB Neil Lomax, RB James Wilder, WR Cris Collinsworth, LB Mike Singletary, CB Eric Wright, DE Howie Long, and G Russ Grimm.

Gary wasn't nearly the player those names or his fellow New Orleans draftees were. However, he put together an adequate six-year career with the team. He intercepted seven passes, including six picks with two fumble recoveries and four sacks in his first three seasons.

Voted 1st Team All-NFC in 1983, Gary and another 1981 Saints draftee Johnnie Poe combined to intercept 10 passes for a 1st-ranked New Orleans pass defense in 1983. He played his final two seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles before retiring after the 1987 campaign. Gary passed away in 2019.

1973 - Derland Moore, DT (Oklahoma)

1981 - Russell Gary, S (Nebraska)

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