The New Orleans Saints could cut edge defender Payton Turner just three years after using a first-round pick on him. Selected with the 28th-overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, the Houston product was supposed to reinforce what, at the time, was one of the league’s better pass rushes as the team prepared for life after Drew Brees. Instead, the veteran has struggled to see the field while working as a rotational pass rusher.
Appearing in just 15 games throughout his three-year career while making zero starts, Turner has recorded just three sacks, 29 tackles, eight tackles-for-loss, and eight quarterback hits since entering the league. It’s easy to see why the Saints could cut Payton Turner, especially when they can save $2.36 million in much-needed cap space by releasing him. Dakota Randall of Pro Football Network believes that the Saints will part ways with the first-round pick, but this might not be the end for him. Players with first-round draft pedigree usually get second chances, and the Ravens and Jaguars could roll the dice on him.
Saints Could Cut Payton Turner – Ravens, Jaguars Could Sign Him
The Baltimore Ravens are one of the best teams in the league at drafting and developing talent, so they could go after Payton Turner if the Saints cut him. While he hasn’t panned out on the NFL level, he was a first-round pick for a reason, and head coach John Harbaugh could try and find a diamond in the rough. After boasting the best all-around roster in 2023, the Ravens lost several key free agents, including pass-rusher Jadeveon Clowney.
Baltimore enters the 2024 season with a few potential Clowney replacements already on the roster. Kyle Van Noy can start on one side of the line, and former first-round pick Odafe Oweh will have the first chance to replace Clowney on the other side. If he’s not up to the task, the Ravens could turn to David Ojabo or third-round pick Adisa Isaac. However, if the Ravens want to add a low-risk, medium-reward depth piece, they could sign Payton Turner after the Saints cut him. He shouldn’t cost anything more than the league minimum and might have some untapped potential.
Jaguars Add More Pass Rushers
The Jacksonville Jaguars had the fewest sacks in the league last year despite having Joshua Hines-Allen on their roster. The former first-round pick accounted for 17.5 quarterback takedowns, while the rest of the team had just 22.5. Jacksonville addressed their paltry depth on the defensive line with Arik Armstead, but there is still plenty of room for improvement here.
Payton Turner won’t ever turn into an All-Pro type of player, but the cut candidate could see increased production in a new environment. Seeing as Jacksonville still lacks reliable depth along the defensive line, Turner could immediately step into a depth role and play his way into more snaps. Seeing as Jacksonville shares a division with a great quarterback in C.J. Stroud and an all-around weapon in Anthony Richardson, this team will need as many pass rushers as they can get.
Main Photo: Stephen Lew – USA Today Sports
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