Saints 2022 Training Camp: Top 4 takeaways from Day 2
1. Good day for Payton Turner
Last year didn’t go according to plan for Payton Turner. The first-round rookie appeared in just five games and eventually landed on IR. It was a disappointing rookie season for the Houston product but the kid is making the most of his opportunities early on in training camp.
Turner was easily the star of the show on Thursday. All of the Saints reporters were raving about the second-year player and it sounds like for good reason. Ross Jackson said that Turner had the play of the day on Day 2.
Payton Turner put up the play of #Saints camp today toppling Jerald Hawkins with a bill rush. Book got the pass off quickly, a nice catch by Trautman. But Turner was the highlight.
— Ross Jackson (@RossJacksonNOLA) July 28, 2022
Luke Johnson backed up those sentiments and joked that former LSU tackle Jerald Hawkins might not want to meet up with Turner again after he got knocked down by the first-round pick.
I thought Payton Turner had another really nice practice today. Only in shorts, but he’s had several impressive rushes in team drills. Jerald Hawkins may never want to see Turner again after he knocked him flat with a bull rush today.
— Luke Johnson (@ByLukeJohnson) July 28, 2022
Katherine Terrell said she was impressed by Turner last year but he ended up getting hurt. It’s clear that the kid has talent but now he just has to stay healthy.
Payton Turner had some nice plays today. I thought the same last year in camp too before he got hurt.
— Katherine Terrell (@Kat_Terrell) July 28, 2022
With Marcus Davenport in the final year of his rookie deal, it’s important for Payton Turner to show that he can be a potential option for New Orleans should Davenport not return. Turner was selected in the first round last year and at the time, it felt like a redo of the Davenport pick from a few years prior.
Turner is showing juice in training camp and so far, he’s the brightest star. Hopefully, he can carry that momentum into the regular season and stay healthy.
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Another day of training camp is in the books!