Saints 2022 Training Camp: 3 major standouts from first week
By Kristen Wong
Saints’ standout No. 3: Payton Turner
Defensive end Payton Turner is hoping to make a giant Year 2 leap in 2022, and he’s certainly getting his season off to a good start.
The 2021 first-rounder enters his second year with much higher expectations than before as Turner looks to inherit the pass-rushing throne from veteran Cam Jordan.
Turner’s injury-plagued rookie season saw him play just five games and record one sack, but if he can stay healthy in 2022, he could still live up to his franchise-starter potential. During the first two days of camp, Turner recorded at least one bull-rush sack and a tackle for loss on running back Devine Ozigbo.
Nice bull rush by Saints DE Payton Turner (Edwin Goode with the video) pic.twitter.com/FfgQV7kyAj
— Sean FazendeFOX8 (@SeanFazendeFOX8) July 28, 2022
Practice is over. Thought Mike Thomas looked sharp again. Good day for Payton Turner. Full report later
— Nick Underhill (@nick_underhill) July 28, 2022
Turner ended up getting plenty of reps last Thursday due to the absence of Cam Jordan, and he made a noticeable impact on the edge. Whereas fellow pass-rusher Marcus Davenport remains on the PUP list, Turner is playing his way into a starting spot come September, showing his natural instincts at the position coupled with explosive speed and refined technique.
It’s too early to make any rash assumptions, but Turner appears to be on track to enjoy a productive second season in NOLA.