Bleacher Report’s Ryan Fowler called for the New Orleans Saints to put Payton Turner on the trade block. Fowler listed a player from each team that should go on the trade block.
Fowler had various reasons for a player’s inclusion. Crowded position group, expiring contract, or a change of scenery. Turner is on the last year of his deal, but him getting a new contract after a trade is doubtful because of the injury history. Change of scenery is obviously the route Fowler is going.
Turner hasn’t turned into the player the Saints desired him to be since drafting him in 2021. Heading into Year 4, he may never turn into that, but he could turn into draft compensation from another team via trade.
A large part of Turner not hitting his ceiling is health-related. In three seasons, he has played just 15 games. Turner’s shown flashes, but flashes aren’t enough at this point. Sustained production of some sort is required, and Turner’s availability removes him from sustaining poor or positive performance.
It’s difficult to predict a change of scenery would lead to Turner staying healthy. It certainly didn’t work for Marcus Davenport. Turner would result in minor compensation if he were traded.
On top of that, the Achilles injury to Tanoh Kpassagnon means Isaiah Foskey would step into fourth pass rusher role. Turner is injury-prone, but Foskey hasn’t even shown the flashes to make you believe in him. Never say never, but Turner is likely staying in New Orleans for the final year of his contract.
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