Payton Turner had a good pre-draft process. He was climbing up draft boards rapidly, and defensive end is always a position of need in the NFL. Still, most people expected Turner to end up as a Day Two pick. Instead, he went at the end of the first round to the New Orleans Saints at 28 overall.
Payton Turner was a second team All-AAC defender in 2020, who had 10.5 tackles for loss and five sacks. He also possesses ideal size for a defensive end, at 6-foot 6 inches and 270 lbs.