3 Draft Picks the Saints Gave up on Way Too Early

It's tough for NFL fans to temper expectations, and, try as they might, their first impression of a player (for better or worse) generally sticks.

Occasionally, that credo goes for executives, too. Without an instant payoff, these three Saints draft picks were tossed aside, only to prosper somewhere else. With the benefit of hindsight, it's fair to say New Orleans moved too quickly in all of these cases.

3. Malcom Jenkins , S

Jenkins trying to make a tackle on Tevin Coleman during the NFC Divisional round game in 2017 / Abbie Parr/Getty Images

Even though Jenkins returned to New Orleans this offseason, the former Eagle rose to stardom in Philadelphia. After five solid seasons in the black and gold, the Saints' 2009 first-rounder moved to Philly, where had 23 turnovers and added three Pro Bowl seasons with the team. He was also a captain when the Eagles won the Super Bowl back in 2017. It's no wonder that coach Sean Payton repeatedly said that giving up on Jenkins was his worst move as the coach in New Orleans.

2. Akiem Hicks, DT

Akiem Hicks walking off the field in a game vs. the Packers / Quinn Harris/Getty Images

After having 6.5 sacks in a little over three years with the Saints, Hicks was traded to Patriots for backup tight end Michael Hoomanawanui. Naturally, his arrival in Foxborough coincided with a takeoff. After he left the Saints, the 2018 Pro Bowler recorded 27 sacks and 44 tackles for loss with his time in New England and Chicago. He has became a linchpin in the Bears' defense, and will look to continue his great play next season after coming off a season-ending elbow injury in 2019.

1. Rob Ninkovich, OLB

Rob Ninkovich was part of the Patriots' 28-3 comeback in Super Bowl 51 / Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

The 2006 fifth-round pick was a special teamer for the Saints throughout his rookie season in New Orleans and then was cut before the 2007 season, as the team foresaw no real role for him. Once he found a spot with the Patriots, the Purdue product shined, recording 46 sacks in eight seasons for New England. He also won two Super Bowls and was a consistent force for Bill Belichick's defense. His best seasons all came when New Orleans consistently employed one of the worst defenses in the league. Sorry, Saints fans.