2021 NFL Draft: Raiders top 5 worst picks of the first round

3 of 5

CLEVELAND, OHIO – APRIL 29: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announces Payton Turner as the 28th selection by the New Orleans Saints during round one of the 2021 NFL Draft at the Great Lakes Science Center on April 29, 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

3. Payton Turner, EDGE, Houston (28th overall, Saints)

When other NFL teams are zigging in the 2021 NFL Draft, the New Orleans Saints decided to zag.

I’m all about off-the-wall picks for teams, but the Saints really dug deep here with this one.

Payton Turner is a replacement for the departed Trey Hendrickson in New Orleans, and at 6-foot-6, 270 pounds, there’s no question that he’s an imposing figure off the edge.

The Saints apparently were trying to trade up in this draft, possibly into the top-10 selections. My guess is they wanted Joe Horn or Patrick Surtain’s kids to pair with Marshon Lattimore at the cornerback position, but by the time they got on the clock, all of the top corners in this class were gone.

Payton Turner gives them an option off the edge, but he’s only proven to be solid, not spectacular.

In four seasons at Houston, Turner racked up just 9.5 sacks and one forced fumble.

I love the way this guy is trending. He had a big-time Senior Bowl and he has shown some impressive versatility and bend off the edge for a guy with his size and length.

With that being said, the Saints definitely reached on this guy here in my opinion and could have gone with someone like Eric Stokes or moved up a handful of spots for Greg Newsome.

Home/NFL Draft