The Dallas Cowboys agreed to a one-year deal worth $3 million with free-agent defensive end Payton Turner on Tuesday, sources tell ESPN Dallas' Todd Archer. Turner will receive $2 million guaranteed. Payton, the former 28th overall pick in the first round in 2021 by the New Orleans Saints out of Houston, played in a combined 15 games for the Saints in his first three NFL seasons due to injuries. However, the 26-year-old pass-rusher stayed healthy in 2024 and had 21 tackles (10 solo), two sacks, four pass breakups and two forced fumbles in 16 games (no starts). The Cowboys will be hoping their defensive coaches will be able to get more out of a player that has had just five sacks in 31 career games in his first four years in the league. Turner will likely be a rotational pass-rusher for Dallas and won't be on the IDP radar.
New Orleans Saints defensive end Payton Turner (shoulder), who had major shoulder surgery last November, announced on his Twitter page on Wednesday that he's been cleared. Turner was the 28th overall pick in the first round of last year's draft out of Houston, but he played in only five games in his rookie campaign, recording 12 tackles (nine solo), three tackles for loss, three QB hits and one sack. The 23-year-old suffered his shoulder injury in Week 9 last year and never returned. If Turner can stay healthy in his second NFL season, he should provide the Saints with a big boost along their defensive line.
The New Orleans Saints selected Houston defensive end Payton Turner with the No. 28 overall pick in the first round of the 2021 NFL draft on Thursday night. Turner had an excellent Senior Bowl week by getting after the quarterback, but there are durability concerns. He has plenty of length and ability off the edge while rushing the quarterback, though. Turner has plenty of effort and hustle and chases the football all over the field. He has first-step explosiveness despite having long limbs. The Saints were widely expected to take a cornerback with their first-round pick and were even thought to be interested in trading up in the first round to do so, but they decided to go with a pass-rusher instead. Look for them to address their corner need on Friday.
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