Round one of the NFL Draft was an unseen sequence of events for Saints fans, with lots of different emotions. From starting the day off thinking the Saints would trade up to a top 10 pick, to waiting 3 hours for the Saints to draft Payton Turner. While at first this pick wasn’t a fan favorite, (they usually aren’t) lets not forget that defensive line was a need for the Saints, especially after losing Sheldon Rankins and Trey Hendrickson. Yes, the Saints had other needs such as corner or linebacker but defensive line was an area that was thin as well at depth and a position that needed reassurance.
My first thoughts of the pick consisted of confusion, and a lot of it. The Saints picked up Marcus Davenport’s fifth year option and then drafted a defensive end, but after having time to think about the pick, it wasn’t as bad as people believe it to be. The Saints likely believe they can get a corner or linebacker with talent in the second round with some aggression and trades, but lets talk about the pick and player that is Payton Turner.
Standing at 6’6, 270 pounds Payton Turner is a bull rusher who is violent with his hands. Turner has huge arms with a 84 inch wingspan and uses his size to an advantage. What stood out to Sean Payton it seems is that Turner can play inside if needed. Turner was asked to move to defensive tackle going into to college and gained about 80 pounds, but was then moved back to defensive end. If this kid can play inside (not full time but when needed) then the Saints knocked two birds with one stone due to the losses of Trey and Sheldon.
The pick is questionable and a reach, but Turner fits the Dennis Allen scheme. The selection was frowned upon because he wasn’t a corner or linebacker, but the player himself has tons of skill and upside to him. It’s defiantly a pick that will take time to develop into a good pick. So, he might not play much this season but say Cam retires in a few years then Turner is set up for success. This pick is just a pick that we need to wait out and see what happens.
In 2020 Turner had five sacks within five games long with 10.5 tackles for a loss. His entire college career stats since 2017 include 114 tackles, 9.5 sacks, 23.5 tackles for a loss, along with a forced fumble and nine pass deflections.
Written By Kadin Janisch
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