Every pick in the NFL draft is important, and the New Orleans Saints will try to make all eight of theirs count next week. However, one selection, in particular, holds a special place. 

The Saints have the 146th pick in the fifth round. 

Under normal circumstances, this wouldn't mean anything, but the Saints haven't held this pick since 1979 when they used it on defensive back Ricky Ray. 44 years later, the Saints are hoping that this selection brings them the same rewards that it's brought other teams over the last decade. 

The recent great fortune of the 146th pick started in 2015.

The Minnesota Vikings would take wide receiver Stefon Diggs in the fifth round with that pick. He would have back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons in his final two years with the Vikings and has done so in each of his three seasons with the Buffalo Bills where he's also garnered Pro Bowl (three) and All-Pro (two) honors.

A year later, linebacker Matt Judon was taken by the Baltimore Ravens. Judon made the Pro Bowl in each of his final two campaigns with the Ravens and has done so in both of his seasons so far with the New England Patriots. Tight end George Kittle was selected at 146 in 2017 by the San Francisco 49ers and has made four Pro Bowls and has been named an All-Pro three times as well.

Center Travis Biadasz of the Dallas Cowboys is the only other player to make a Pro Bowl (2022) from the 146th pick since 2013. That's not a bad percentage for an entire decade, especially considering these are fourth and fifth-round picks.

The Saints have holes in their defensive line, secondary, wide receiver, and linebacker positions to fill among others. One of them will be addressed with the 146th pick. However, it remains to be seen if New Orleans will reap similar benefits that other teams have as of late.