![Saints Select Payton Turner in First Round](https://townsquare.media/site/37/files/2021/04/GettyImages-848123998.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Saints Select Payton Turner in First Round
The New Orleans Saints selected some defensive line help on the opening night of the 2021 NFL Draft.
The Saints drafted Payton Turner, a defensive end from the University of Houston, in the first round, with the 28th-overall pick on Thursday night.
The selection of Turner marked the second time in four years that the Saints drafted a defensive end in the first round, after selecting Marcus Davenport in 2018.
The selection of Turner also marked the fourth time in the last six years that New Orleans selected a defensive player in the opening round.
The 6-foot-6, 270-pound Turner compiled 25 tackles in only five games for Houston during the 2020 season, including 5.0 sacks and 10.5 tackles for a loss.
Over his career with the Cougars, the 22-year old Turner appeared in 36 games, accumulating 114 tackles, including 9.5 sacks and 23.5 tackles for a loss.
A native of Houston, Texas, Turner attended Westside High Scholl, where he played both football and basketball, despite missing his senior season with an ACL injury.
Rounds 2-3 of the 2021 NFL Draft will take place on Friday night, with rounds 4-7 scheduled for Saturday.
The Best Saints By Numbers 0-9
More From News Talk 96.5 KPEL
![Louisiana Ranks High in ‘Sore Loser’ Survey](http://townsquare.media/site/36/files/2024/03/attachment-sore-loser.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Jameis Winston, Ex-Saints QB, Finalizing Deal with Cleveland Browns](http://townsquare.media/site/37/files/2021/09/attachment-jameis-chause.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Saints Injury Report: Some Big Names Out for Leg Two of the Bird Gauntlet](http://townsquare.media/site/37/files/2022/10/attachment-Ingram-and-Juice.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Is Saints Rookie Tackle Trevor Penning Too Aggressive?](http://townsquare.media/site/37/files/2022/08/attachment-Trevor-Penning.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Two Saints Players Placed On PUP List](http://townsquare.media/site/37/files/2022/07/attachment-CGM.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Saints vs Titans Thursday Injury Report – Payton Turner to IR](http://townsquare.media/site/37/files/2021/11/attachment-GettyImages-1345881676.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Saints vs Buccaneers Thursday Injury Report](http://townsquare.media/site/37/files/2021/10/attachment-GettyImages-1296931299.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Things to Know About Saints First Round Pick Payton Turner](http://townsquare.media/site/37/files/2021/05/GettyImages-848123998.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![‘Not Dunne Yet’: Watch Livvy Dunne Reveal Epic Decision on LSU Gymnastics Future](http://townsquare.media/site/36/files/2024/07/attachment-Untitled-design-2024-07-08T143807.689.jpg?w=980&q=75)