2. Payton Turner
There might not have been a bigger disappointment in 2021 than first-round pick, Payton Turner. The Saints drafting him in the 28th spot was a huge surprise and he went on to be absent for much of his rookie season.
Turner appeared in five games and tallied 12 tackles, three QB Hits, and one sack during that time. He showed promise when he was on the field but not staying healthy and getting to contribute definitely hurt his stock.
That’s why it makes all the sense in the world that Turner would be ‘on the rise’ heading into the 2022 season. He didn’t play much as a rookie but New Orleans made him a first-round pick for a reason. There’s strong reason to believe that this guy can be a major game-changer in the pass-rushing department.
It felt like drafting Turner was the Saints essentially hitting the reset button on the Marcus Davenport pick from a few years prior but Davenport balled out in 2021. If he ends up leaving following the 2022 season, perhaps Turner can be his replacement moving forward.