The New Orleans Saints are now just 40 days away from their 2025 regular season opener against the Arizona Cardinals, a milestone marked by the anticipation surrounding rookie Fadil Diggs, who will wear the number 40 jersey. This number holds a special place in Saints history, with 18 previous players having donned it, including notable figures like Dalton Hilliard and Delvin Breaux.

Hilliard, a second-round pick in 1986, was the highest-drafted player to wear No. 40 and had a remarkable rookie season before switching to No. 21. Others, like Mike Bell, contributed significantly during their time, with Bell playing a crucial role in the Saints’ Super Bowl-winning team in 2009. Interestingly, most players who wore number 40 did so for just one or two seasons, with only Mel Mitchell lasting longer than three years. As Diggs prepares to carve his own path, he joins a legacy of Saints players who have contributed to the team's rich history.