The 2006 draft class is arguably Sean Payton’s best draft class and really set the foundation for his Saints team that eventually won it all in 2009.
One of those guys was Jahri Evans who was a small school guard from Bloomsburg University and really an unknown commodity selected in the 4th round. Right away Evans was the only rookie to start for the Saints out of training camp and turned into a solid asset, setting the bar for guard play.
Evans dominated during his time and quickly became one of if not the best offensive guards in the NFL. On top of a Super Bowl championship Evans was selected to six straight pro bowls from 2009-2014, made First-Team All-Pro four times and the second team in 2013.
If that wasn’t enough, Evans made the 2010s All-Decade team and truly earned the respect of his peers. Now Evans has been selected to the New Orleans Saints Hall of Fame where his name will be cemented in Saints history. Eventually, I believe, his name will also be cemented in Canton, Ohio where the other great players’ names are etched into history.
Joining Jahri Evans in the Saints Hall of Fame is teammate and fellow 2006 draft selection Roman Harper.
Selected in the second round from the University of Alabama who had his rookie season cut short due to injury, but after that he didn’t miss a beat finishing his career as a Saint with 685 total tackles, which no other Saints DB in Saints history comes close to, 17 sacks, seven interceptions, and 15 forced fumbles.
Harper was true staple for this Saints defense for so many years and was a true leader and mentor for so many players. During his time no DB recorded more sacks than Harper’s 17. Adding two Pro Bowls to his resume and a Super Bowl championship, Roman Harper was one of the more unsung heroes for the Saints for many years.
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