The New Orleans Saints have had pretty good success over the last decade with four NFC South crowns and five playoff appearances.

Of course, it takes being able to find key additions in free agency. But it also requires being astute when it comes to the NFL Draft. 

ESPN put out a list of the top 50 draft steals of the last decade (2013-2022) on Wednesday. The Saints were well represented with four players, tying the Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings for the most league-wide. 

Here are the criteria that draft experts Matt Miller and Jordan Reid came up with to compile their list: 

• First-rounders weren't included, even if they were taken late on Day 1. Undrafted free agents were also excluded since the list would skew in that direction.

• To qualify, a player must have been drafted at least 15 spots — roughly half a round — later than he should have been, and that's just the floor for the exercise.

• There aren't any 2023 draft picks here — they haven't even played a game yet! Only players drafted between 2013 and 2022 were eligible for our ranking.

13. Alvin Kamara, RB

Drafted: No. 65 in 2017

Career stats: 1,135 rushes for 5,135 yards and 49 TDs in six seasons

After bouncing around in college — Alabama to Hutchinson Community College to Tennessee — Kamara slipped to the third round where the Saints made him part of one of the NFL's greatest draft classes ever. Kamara quickly made his mark, winning Offensive Rookie of the Year, earning a Pro Bowl invite and receiving second-team All-Pro honors. Injuries have slowed down Kamara's production, but he remains one of the game's best dual-threat running backs. — Matt Miller, ESPN

In addition to his production as a runner, where he's tied the league record for rushing touchdowns in a game with six, Kamara has also registered 430 receptions for 3,753 yards and 22 touchdowns, making him one of the more dynamic weapons in the NFL.

Kamara has also racked up five Pro Bowl nods and two All-Pro selections during his career. 

15. Terron Armstead, OT

Drafted: No. 75 in 2013

Career stats: 106 starts, 86.6% pass block win rate and 73.4% run block win rate in 10 seasons

Becoming a longtime starter at left tackle despite getting picked in the third round helps get you on a draft-steals list, and Armstead has been rock-solid since becoming a starter late in his rookie season. He quickly erased concerns about play power and level of experience coming out of Arkansas-Pine Bluff. Now a four-time Pro Bowl selection, Armstead has easily outpaced his draft position. — Matt Miller, ESPN 

Armstead plays for the Miami Dolphins now, but during his first nine seasons with the Saints, he earned three of his four Pro Bowl nods and a second-team All-Pro selection. 

He's earned a pass-blocking grade of at least 80.0 every season since 2015 and he's only allowed 146 pressures, 91 hurries, and 21 sacks in 3,898 pass-blocking snaps.

32. Michael Thomas, WR

Drafted: No. 47 in 2016

Career stats: 526 receptions for 6,121 yards and 35 TDs in seven seasons

Some questioned whether Thomas could expand his route tree in the NFL, but the Ohio State product silenced those critics immediately. He recorded at least 1,000 receiving yards in each of his first four seasons, including when he posted a league-high 1,725 yards on 149 receptions in 2019. When healthy, Thomas proved to be a dynamic underneath and red zone threat with plenty of catch-and-run ability. His struggles to stay on the field prevented him from being much higher on this list. — Jordan Reid, ESPN 

Thomas has been ravaged by injuries over the last three seasons which have forced him to miss 40 games (didn't play in 2021). However, he had three consecutive years with over 100 receptions (2017-2019) and he's led the league in that category twice while being named to the Pro Bowl three times and an All-Pro two times. 

All signs point to him being healthy in 2023, at the moment anyway. If that holds up, he'll be a beast once again for the Saints. 

47. Trey Hendrickson, DE

Drafted: No. 103 in 2017

Career stats: 131 tackles, 42 sacks and 9 forced fumbles in six seasons

Hendrickson was seen as a backup prospect because of short arms and inconsistent production. But in New Orleans, he developed into a three-down 4-3 defensive end after playing sparingly his first three seasons. Hendrickson came alive in 2020 and has 35.5 sacks since that time. — Matt Miller, ESPN 

Hendrickson didn't play more than 46% of the Saints' defensive snaps in his first three seasons, but he exploded for 13.5 sacks in his final year in New Orleans in 2020. 

The former third-round pick has been a key piece of the Cincinnati Bengals defense the last two seasons and has tallied 22 sacks and earned back-to-back Pro Bowl selections. 

It's safe to say that New Orleans has this draft thing down pretty well.

Saints have new intriguing young playmaking option

He would be a good addition.

Feature image via Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports