2021 NFL Team Draft Page

I'm not crazy about this pick. The Saints had their pick of linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoa, multiple WR options, OT Trevon Jenkins, and (our latest pick) CB Asante Samuels Jr. Payton Turner is one of those guys who saw his stock rise at the later hours of the draft process, which is not exactly the thing one wants on a resume. (Daniel Jeremiah bumped him up to pick 42.) To his credit, Turner recorded 25 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, and five sacks in just five games played for the Cougars last season. He does have great size and agility. I just did not see this as a postion of need.

Trey Hendrickson, who benefited from playing opposite Cameron Jordan, signed a four-year, $60 million deal with the Bengals. GM Mickey obviously made Turner a priority as his replacement. I felt there were better options to fill - CB, WR, or OT. Our DraftTek Big Board Analyst struggled to find room to fit Turner in or top 100 board.

~NOBudMan, Saints Analyst

Grade: D

Pete Werner is an instinctive, hard-working LB who excels at covering TEs in pass coverage and has the speed to stay downfield with faster RBs. The 3-year starter for the Buckeyes crushed it at his Pro Day, running a 4.58. He finished his career at Ohio State with 185 total tackles, 16 for a loss, including 4 QB sacks, and 4 force fumbles.

The Saints have made valiant effort in the past to fix their LB needs. Last season the team added Kwon Alexander just before the trade deadline. Unfortunately, the $13 million LB tore his Achilles shortly after the ink dried. He is now looking for a new team.

Grade: B-

Paulson Adebo is another player who opted out in 2020. He probably would have contended for RD1 pick. He will now man the position vacated by Janoris Jenkins, now a Titan. The 3-year starter at Stanford, Adebo exploded on the scene his freshman year when he led the nation with 24 pass breakups, and his popularity in the Bay Area only gained traction. He has great size and speed; he ran a 6.69 three-cone that would put him in the 94th percentile for CBs, ran a 4.45 forty-yard dash, a 36.5-inch vertical, and a 121-inch broad jump.

Grade: B+