With four picks remaining in the 2006 NFL draft, the New Orleans Saints were on the clock. And with the 252nd overall pick, a supplemental compensatory seventh-round pick, the Saints took a player who became the greatest receiver in franchise history.
We didn't know much about Hofstra's Marques Colston then, but he built a pretty nice legacy for himself over the next 10 years.
The ride ended on Monday. The Saints officially cut Colston, after he posted career lows with 45 catches, 520 yards and four touchdowns last season. He'll go down as one of the best players in Saints history, a part of a franchise renaissance that included a Super Bowl championship.
Colston made an immediate impact with 1,038 yards and eight touchdowns as a rookie (and won a couple thousand fantasy leagues because he was listed as a tight end/wide receiver in Yahoo's fantasy football leagues ... told you nobody knew much about him back then). Colston ended up being one of the best big receivers in the NFL for a decade, with 9,759 yards. That's the most in Saints history, and Eric Martin is well behind in second place with 7,854 yards. Colston's 72 receiving touchdowns are 21 more than any other Saints player. His 711 receptions are also the most in Saints history; Martin is second with 532.
Colston might have a tough time continuing his career if he wishes, after his down 2015. He's going to be 33 next season with a long history of knee issues. But if this is it for Colston, it was a great run.
Not too bad for a 252nd pick out of Hofstra.
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