New Orleans Saints all-time Mount Rushmore

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JANUARY 05: Drew Brees #9 of the New Orleans Saints gestures during the second half against the Minnesota Vikings in the NFC Wild Card Playoff game at Mercedes Benz Superdome on January 05, 2020 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) /

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SAN FRANCISCO – SEPTEMBER 21: Linebacker Rickey Jackson #57 of the New Orleans Saints closes for a hit on San Francisco 49ers running back Derrick Harmon #24 during the game at Candlestick Park on September 21, 1986 in San Francisco, California. The 49ers won 26-17. (Photo by George Rose/Getty Images) /

New Orleans Saints Mount Rushmore: OLB Rickey Jackson

He was actually a second-round pick and the 51st selection in the 1981 draft. And he entered the league the same year that the New York Giants took explosive defender Lawrence Taylor with the second overall choice. So it’s safe to say that University of Pittsburgh linebacker Rickey Jackson was somewhat overshadowed by one of the greatest defensive players in league annals.

However, that not to say that the fellow future Hall of Famer didn’t make his mark. He would eventually be part of one of the top linebacking corps in NFL annals. Jackson was flanked on the outside by Pat Swilling and joined inside by inspirational Sam Mills and Vaughan Johnson.

During his 13-year career with the Saints, he would be credited with 123 sacks (eight as a rookie in ’81 when ut wasn’t an official NFL statistic), to go along with 38 forced fumbles, 27 fumble recoveries and seven interceptions. He earned six Pro Bowl invitations, including the 1992 season when he was joined in Hawaii by Swilling, Mills and Johnson.

Jackson would sign with the San Francisco 49ers in 1994, shift to defensive end and play two seasons for that club and earned a Super Bowl ring that first year. But it was with the Saints where he made his impressive mark.

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