A second round selection by New Orleans in the 2006 NFL Draft (43rd overall), Harper played in 108 games with 104 starts over eight seasons from 2006-13. In 2009, Harper earned his first Pro Bowl berth and helped lead the Saints to their first Super Bowl win in franchise history. In Super Bowl XLIV, Harper led the Saints with eight tackles. Over his Saints career, he recorded 743 tackles, 17 sacks, seven interceptions, one touchdown, 13 forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and 53 passes defensed. He earned two consecutive Pro Bowl nominations from 2009-10.