NFL players selected in the 2021 Draft now have three years to establish their mettle. Now, teams must choose whether to exercise the fifth-year option on the contracts of every first-round selection made that year. On January 8, the window for selecting those fifth-year options opened. Teams have until May 2 to decide whether to extend the option.
Payton Turner, a DE, is that player for the New Orleans. Turner, who was chosen with the 28th overall pick, 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.
In the first round, six defensive linemen or edge rushers were selected, with Turner being the third. The first round saw the selection of Gregory Rousseau (Bills), Odafe Oweh (Ravens), and Joe Tryon-Shoyinka (Buccaneers) at picks thirty through thirty-two. (Dolphins, #18) and Kwity Paye (Colts, #21) were taken ahead of him.
Due to injuries, Turner has not been able to play much for the Saints in his first three years. Due to toe surgery, he has only appeared in 15 of the 51 games that could have been played, including just two in 2023. Turner did not live up to the expectations placed on him as a first-round selection. 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. In 2024, Adebo, Werner, and Turner will all be in the last year of their contracts.
