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Despite their horrid history, the New Orleans Saints haven't picked at the top of the NFL Draft very often.

Contrary to their reputation, the Saints have done fairly well when they have had one of the elite selections.

The Saints, owners of the second overall selection in Saturday's draft in New York, have had the top overall pick once and the second overall pick once since 1967.

In 1981, New Orleans took Heisman Trophy winner George Rogers from South Carolina with the top overall selection. Rogers was a two-time Pro Bowl selection during his four-year stay in New Orleans.

In 1971, the Saints took Ole Miss quarterback Archie Manning with the second overall pick. Manning, who remains the de facto face of the organization, played 11 seasons in New Orleans, earning two Pro Bowl invitations. Manning finished among the top 10 in the NFL in passing yards and passing touchdowns three times during his stint with the Saints.

Of course, the Saints have had some embarrassing busts when drafting in the first round, as well.

Georgia defensive tackle Johnathan Sullivan, the sixth overall pick in 2003, is still with the Saints but his production has been subpar. Offensive guard Chris Naeole, the 10th overall pick in 1997, never became a star. However, the former Colorado standout started 15 games for the Jacksonville Jaguars last season.

In 1999, Mike Ditka traded the Saints' draft to take Texas running back Ricky Williams with the fifth overall pick. Williams played just three seasons in New Orleans before he was traded to Miami. He is currently appealing a positive drug test that threatens to derail his already stormy career.

In 1987, the Saints chose Shawn Knight with the 11th overall pick, passing up later first-round selections such as offensive tackle Harris Barton, quarterback Jim Harbaugh and wide receiver Mark Ingram.

In 1979, New Orleans shocked NFL observers by taking Texas kicker Russell Erxleben with the 11th overall pick. Two picks later, the San Diego Chargers took tight end Kellen Winslow.

If the Saints keep this year's second overall pick as expected, they'll be hard-pressed to mess up. Southern California running back Reggie Bush is expected to go No. 1 overall to the Houston Texans, leaving the Saints to choose from a group that includes North Carolina State defensive end Mario Williams, Virginia offensive tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson, Southern Cal quarterback Matt Leinart, Texas quarterback Vince Young, Ohio State linebacker A.J. Hawk and Maryland tight end Vernon Davis.

"It's one of the most exciting drafts because of the eight super blue-chip prospects at the top that are much publicized," ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. said. "(There are) Heisman Trophy winners (Bush and Leinart) and the national championship game had three (Bush, Leinart and Young) of those guys. So really at every position, you have star value on both sides of the ball. So from an excitement standpoint, there's no question that this draft should be as good as it gets.

"I think anybody would tell you it's a pretty good draft overall. This draft has shaped up because of the underclassmen. The underclassmen are usually the key factor now in whether drafts are good or not. This is a very deep draft at a lot of positions."

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