From Afterthought to Icon: The Unforgettable Rise of Marques Colston With the Saints

In the 2006 NFL Draft, the New Orleans Saints held the 252nd overall pick — a spot typically reserved for longshots and afterthoughts. But what they found that day was nothing short of historic.

His name was Marques Colston, a lanky wide receiver out of Hofstra University, a program that hadn’t exactly made headlines on the national stage. Lacking the eye-popping speed or the flash of first-round prospects, Colston quietly slipped through the cracks of almost every team's draft board. But the Saints saw something others didn’t — soft hands, elite body control, and an unshakable calm under pressure.

Colston’s rookie year was nothing short of a revelation. While many were still learning his name, he exploded onto the scene with over 1,000 receiving yards and eight touchdowns, instantly becoming Drew Brees’ go-to target. It was a partnership born in trust and execution — and it would define an era.

Throughout his career, Colston did more than just exceed expectations. He shattered them. He finished with 711 receptions, 9,759 yards, and 72 touchdowns — all in a Saints uniform. No one caught more passes from Brees than Colston, a testament to their unmatched chemistry on the field.

But beyond the numbers was the attitude: Colston never chased headlines. He never needed the spotlight. Instead, he let his game speak volumes — every clutch grab, every red-zone snag, every sideline toe-tap reinforcing his legacy as one of the most underappreciated stars of his generation.

The Saints didn’t just draft a wide receiver at pick No. 252. They drafted a cornerstone. A culture setter. A franchise legend.

Marques Colston is living proof that greatness can come from anywhere — even from the very bottom of the draft board.