New Orleans Saints Face Key Decision With Payton Turner

Payton Turner: A Crucial Decision for the New Orleans Saints

Now, NFL rookies chosen in the 2021 Draft have three years to prove themselves.

Teams now have to decide if they want to use the fifth-year option on

the agreements signed by each first-round pick that season.

The time for choosing those alternatives for the fifth year opened on January 8.

Teams must make a decision over whether to extend the option by May 2.

The player for the New Orleans is a DE named Payton Turner. Turner, selected with the 28th overall

selection,

finished his four seasons at the University of Houston with 9.5 sacks and 23.5 tackles for loss.

Turner, who stood 6’6″ and 270 pounds and was endowed with exceptional length and athleticism,

lit up draft boards even with his raw skills.

The first round saw the selection of Gregory Rousseau (Bills), Odafe Oweh (Ravens),

and Joe Tryon-Shoyinka (Buccaneers) at picks thirty through thirty-two.

Jaelan Phillips (Dolphins, #18) and Kwity Paye (Colts, #21) were taken ahead of him.

Turner hasn’t been able to play much for the Saints in his first three years because of injuries.

He has only played in 15 of the 51 games that have been possible because of toe surgery.

containing only two in 2023.

Turner did not perform to the level that was anticipated of him as a first-round pick.

With three sacks, eight QB hits, 13 pressures, and eight tackles for loss, he has shown glimpses of potential.

Turner, who is still in the middle of his rookie contract, will cost the Saints $3.42 million in cap space in 2024.

The rookie fifth-year option salary is equal to the position-specific franchise tag.

Turner’s salary will increase to a salary cap hit of $19.73 million in 2025

if the Saints choose to exercise his fifth-year option.

And if New Orleans were to commit that much money,

it would be shocking because Turner hasn’t proven he can stay in the starting lineup.

Instead, the Saints might consider offering two more reliable players

who were selected after Turner in 2021 contract extensions.

Paulson Adebo, a 2021 third-round pick who plays cornerback,

is expected to receive a large contract extension following a stellar campaign.

Drafted in the second round that season,

linebacker Pete Werner may also receive an extension for New Orleans at a position that is thin.

Even yet, it’s hard to imagine New Orleans taking such a big financial chance on a player who gets

injured all the time.

When Marcus Davenport was involved a few years ago, they learned that lesson the hard way.

Turner could still be able to make an impact if the Saints make an attempt.

during his contract year, granting him a long-term extension.

They decided not to pick up G Cesar Ruiz’s option, therefore they used the same strategy with him

during the prior season.

This would also be the perfect on-field scenario for New Orleans, who are in urgent need of an edge

rusher.

Read more on http://sportsupdates.co.uk