New Orleans’ No. 18 jersey has a storied but sparsely worn lineage. Hugo Hollas kicked things off, snagging 11 interceptions and prompting the Saints to retire a defensive threat early in the era. The No. 18 era then featured a string of quarterbacks and receivers—Dave Wilson, Wade Wilson, Terry Guess, Jeff Blake, Terrance Copper, Jalen Saunders, Keith Kirkwood, Easop Winston, and Spencer Rattler—each contributing in varying degrees across the decades. Hollas remains the only defensive ace to wear 18, while Wilsons are the most prolific in terms of appearances. Spencer Rattler, the latest to don 18 in 2024, is the outlier who changed the jersey in 2025, moving off 18 as a rookie quarterback job battle unfolds. The opener against Arizona in 18 days frames this retro list against a fresh, modern quarterback competition, highlighting how a single digit can carry a long legacy in Saints lore.

Blake’s early-2000s stint showed the jersey can carry starter-level expectations, while Copper’s three-year run underscored the role of 18 as a trusted bench-to-starter corridor. The fact 18 has touched multiple positions—QB and WR—speaks to New Orleans’ willingness to experiment with a number that isn’t centrally attached to a single identity. As Spencer Rattler transitions to No. 2 this season, fantasy managers should view the No. 18 roster path as a cautionary tale: history shows bursts of value, but sustained fantasy upside is rare and often situational.