Saints have a cut candidate that could garner interest around the NFL

The New Orleans Saints, like every other team in the NFL, will enter training camp with 90 players on the roster at most. Following the final preseason game, all teams will have to get that number down to 53 players. When that many players are cut, it’s a mix of drafted rookies, undrafted rookies, recently acquired veterans, and returning veterans.

While training camp and the preseason games will ultimately determine which players make the roster, it wouldn’t be an NFL offseason if everyone isn’t trying to predict which players will be cut. The Saints have quite a few cut candidates, but one name everybody seemingly agrees on is Payton Turner.

Turner, a defensive end, was drafted in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft. Unfortunately, largely for reasons outside of his control, his career hasn’t sniffed expectations. In three seasons, Turner has played in just 15 games, dealing with injury after injury. In the games he did play, he recorded three sacks and 29 tackles, with eight for a loss.

Now, with Cam Jordan, Carl Granderson, and Chase Young leading the Saints at defensive end, the belief is that it’ll be a fight for Turner to make the roster. However, if he is cut, he should have interest from other teams. That’s how Alex Kay of Bleacher Report sees it, at least.

Payton Turner should find a new team if cut by the Saints

In a recent piece looking at five cut candidates who should be on every team’s radar, Kay named Turner to the list. Detailing the underwhelming, injury-ladened start to Turner’s career, Kay explained why Turner’s time in New Orleans could come to an end before the season. Still, despite the lack of production, Kay believes several teams would take a chance on Turner.

"He has the length and athleticism required to succeed on the edge at the professional level at 6'6", 270 pounds while possessing plenty of explosiveness and power within that frame... Given his pedigree, unteachable qualities and upside, the edge defender should get at least one more chance to catch on in the NFL. If Turner can stay healthy and find a scheme that better utilizes his abilities, he may flip the script on his career."

- Alex Kay (Bleacher Report)

The Saints definitely agree with Kay, and that’s why they drafted Turner, and have stuck with him through three unfortunate seasons. New Orleans is giving Turner one more chance, and this could be the year that he stays healthy and puts it all together. If it’s not, Turner will be looking for a new team.

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