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3 best moves the Saints made in the NFL Draft

By Rucker Haringey

PALO ALTO, CA - OCTOBER 26: Paulson Adebo #11 of the Stanford Cardinal plays defense during an NCAA Pac-12 college football game against the Arizona Wildcats played on October 5, 2019 at Stanford Stadium in Palo Alto, California. (Photo by David Madison/Getty Images)
PALO ALTO, CA - OCTOBER 26: Paulson Adebo #11 of the Stanford Cardinal plays defense during an NCAA Pac-12 college football game against the Arizona Wildcats played on October 5, 2019 at Stanford Stadium in Palo Alto, California. (Photo by David Madison/Getty Images) /
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Payton Turner, New Orleans Saints
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – SEPTEMBER 19: Payton Turner #98 of the Houston Cougars in action during a game at Yulman Stadium on September 19, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /

The Saints had one of the worst draft classes in the NFL this year, but these three guys represent the best of a bad group for New Orleans. 

There aren’t many nice things to say about the Saints’ 2021 NFL Draft class. New Orleans’ front office did an astoundingly poor job of finding value with several of their top selections.

In fairness, that doesn’t mean the Saints didn’t add talent capable of helping them win in 2021. There are several players in this class who have an opportunity to play a significant role next year. The fact that each was overdrafted doesn’t alter their potential to help Sean Payton on the field when the regular season begins.

Saints fans looking for encouraging words regarding their disastrous draft class need look no further. Here are the three best picks New Orleans made during the 2021 NFL Draft.

3 best picks by Saints in the 2021 NFL Draft

3. Payton Turner

Taking Turner in Round 1 was one of the biggest reaches of Day 1. He could easily have been on the board when New Orleans went on the clock in Round 2. Despite the reach, Turner still has a chance to be a quality edge rusher for the Saints next season.

The Saints clearly like defensive ends with excellent size. Turner fits that bill with his 6-foot-6 frame. New Orleans needs him to immediately soak up Trey Hendrickson’s snaps next season. He won’t make up for all the sacks the team lost in free agency, but Turner does have a chance to be a decent starter as a rookie.

The downside to Turner is that he could easily turn into the next Marcus Davenport. He’s go the tools to be a quality starter, but he’s far from the finished product at this stage of his career. He would have graded out nicely in the middle of Round 2 as a result, but the Saints erred by taking him at No. 28.

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