NFL teams had until May 2 to exercise or decline the 5th-year options of their first-round pick/s from the 2021 NFL Draft. The 5th-year options are determined based on four tiers. They include basic, playtime, multiple Pro Bowls, and one Pro Bowl. The 33rd team goes into further detail.
The New Orleans Saints drafted a defensive end 28th overall and had a decision to make.
The New Orleans Saints had until Thursday to exercise or decline his 5th-year option
Since Payton Turner was a 1st-round pick and has played three seasons, his contract includes a 5th-year option worth $13.387 million, fully guaranteed for the 2025 season.
The Saints have made their decision.
The New Orleans Saints have made their decision
The Saints declined Turner’s 5th-year option, making him an unrestricted free agent in 2025.
He had a disappointing start to his career.
Payton Turner had a disappointing start to his career
Turner had a disappointing start to his career, battling injuries and being a healthy scratch, causing him to miss 36 out of 51 regular season games. He has also been inconsistent, recording 29 tackles, eight TFLs, and three sacks so far.
Turner played in five games in his rookie season, with 12 tackles, three TFLs, one sack, and a 64.6 PFF Grade. He suffered a season-ending shoulder injury in Week 9.
Turner played in eight games in his second season, with 16 tackles, five TFLs, two sacks, and a 69.6 PFF Grade. He missed nine games because of a chest, an ankle injury, and a healthy scratch.
Turner played in two games in his third season, with one tackle and a 60.5 PFF Grade. He missed 15 games because of turf toe.
How did the other first-round pass rushers selected after Payton Turner do?
Three pass rushers were drafted after Turner in the first round, including Greg Rousseau (Buffalo Bills, 30th overall), Odafe Oweh (Baltimore Ravens, 31st overall), and Joe Tryon-Shoyinka (Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 32nd overall). So far, all three players have had better starts to their careers.
Rousseau has 129 tackles, 30 TFLs, and 17 sacks (5th-year option exercised), Oweh has 99 tackles, 16 TFLs, and 13 sacks (5th-year option exercised), and Tryon-Shoyinka has 114 tackles, 18 TFLs, and 13 sacks (5th-year option declined).
Payton Turner could be in danger of losing a roster spot
There is a possibility that Turner might not make the 53-man roster because the Saints typically keep five defensive ends on the roster, and he faces stiff competition.
Carl Granderson, Chase Young, and Cameron Jordan are locks, while Isaiah Foskey and Tanoh Kpassagnon are on the bubble but have a better chance of making the roster.
Will he make the 53-man roster roster next season?
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