METAIRIE, La. -- Mark Ingram and Cameron Jordan aren't quite sure why their lockers were placed next to each other -- by the kickers and the punters, instead of with their own position groups -- when they arrived together as first-round draft picks in 2011.

But they now know they wouldn't have it any other way.

The two New Orleans Saints stars have become best friends. Actually, Ingram said that term doesn't do the relationship justice.

"That's like my brother. I wouldn't even say 'best friend,'" Ingram said. "He's family."

There might not be a closer bond in the Saints locker room, besides that of identical twin cornerbacks Brian and Brandon Dixon.

It has been that way from almost the first moment Ingram and Jordan met five years ago in New York while walking in the street with their families the day after the Saints drafted Jordan with the 24th pick and Ingram with the 28th.

Jordan stayed with Ingram for a couple weeks before he found his own place that first summer. Now, they go on family vacations together. They have informally named each other the "godfather" of their children -- with the approval of their significant others.

"My fiancee loves Cam. His girlfriend likes me. We all have a good time together," Ingram said of the group that took a trip to Las Vegas this summer for UFC 200. "Our kids are going to be growing up playing together. So that's my guy."

Jordan used the exact same phrase: "That's my guy."

"It's nice to have somebody on the same team as you, on the same page as you, that likes to work as hard as you do -- or harder," Jordan said. "It's good motivation. It helps push you."

They might seem like a bit of an odd couple on the surface. Ingram is a 5-foot-9 running back who grew up in Michigan before starring at Alabama. Jordan is a 6-foot-4 defensive end who is all West Coast, from high school in Arizona to college at Cal.

Plus, as Jordan couldn't resist adding: "He's Heisman. I'm just a D-lineman."

"But it works well," Jordan said.

The two have one major trait in common. Both are sons of long-time former NFL players (tight end Steve Jordan and receiver Mark Ingram). They also share several personality traits.

"He's a hard worker, I'm a hard worker. I want to be the best at what I do, he wants to be the best at what he does. We like to have fun, we like to joke, we like to have a good time. Family's very important to both of us. And you just click with certain people," Ingram said. "We don't talk every day, but that's my guy. If I need something, I know he'll be there for me. If he needs something, I'll be there for him."

The bond has grown from their young, single days to their family-man eras, and they are on almost an identical schedule. Jordan had his second child, a daughter, last week. Ingram's second child is due any day.

"Our lives our running parallel," Ingram said. "It's crazy."

In addition to the UFC trip, Ingram and Jordan shared pictures of a fishing trip they took with Jordan's father this summer.

Great morning fishing w my dude @camjordan94 his pops n pastor Sam!! Lit them reds up! Trout caught the work too!! pic.twitter.com/mgWv5YqdqB — Mark Ingram II (@MarkIngram22) June 10, 2016

Earl mornin fishin... Son took the father fishin... Wit my dude @MarkIngram22 pic.twitter.com/OGvYpx17Sn — cameron jordan (@camjordan94) June 10, 2016

The two are constantly competing at everything, from video games to the pingpong table someone inexplicably decided to put right in front of their lockers at Saints camp this offseason.

"He can't beat me in anything," Ingram boasted. "We have to do series because I'll win, he'll win, it'll be a back-and-forth battle, so it has to be best-of-five or first one to 10 wins. But I think I'm the champ overruling him. You ask him, and he'll tell you something different."

Jordan actually gave Ingram his due and said the only thing in which he might have beaten Ingram is video game soccer. In fact, the worst part of their relationship is that Ingram has ruined bowling for Jordan.

"He's a legit bowler," Jordan said. "I used to like bowling, but he has his own ball and shoes, and he may have a glove and a brace.

"I haven't quit. I've just relaxed off of going with him. ... I like winning."

The good news is the two can try to accomplish that together on the football field. Jordan, a two-time Pro Bowler, and Ingram, a one-time Pro Bowler, have emerged as two of the top four or five building blocks on New Orleans' roster, both on and off the field.

Pairing them together in that 2011 draft was one of the best decisions the Saints have made over the past decade -- and that's strictly for football reasons.

Creating a bond that will last a lifetime was an unforeseen bonus.