Lions sign a former first-round pick edge rusher, what the Lions are likely trying here
The Detroit Lions are trying their hand to find a diamond in the rough with a former first-round pick who has dealt with injuries
The Detroit Lions have added another edge rusher to their roster, and this time it’s the former 28th overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft.
The Lions have signed edge rusher Payton Turner
Ok, while Turner is a former first-round pick, he has struggled a lot in the NFL. Mostly with injuries. Turner played the most games he’d ever played in a single season for the Saints in 2024, with 16. Before that, the most he had played in was eight. In 2025, he didn’t play for the Cowboys after being placed on injured reserve in August.
I think everyone is fully aware that this move is going to give some Marcus Davenport-like nightmares to Lions fans, but you really have to slow down, take a breath, and look at this for what it really is. This is a team taking a shot on a player who was once expected to be a really good NFL player. He’s not going to start; he might not even play. He’s not going to cost the Lions barely anything. This is almost assuredly a league minimum deal. If he works out, that’s a plus. If he doesn’t, the Lions continue on with their plans, and it doesn’t really affect anything.
With all of that said, Turner does possess some pass-rush skill and can make him a pass-rush specialist for the Lions if it all works out. We’re talking about a guy who can come in on third down, similar to what the Lions had with James Houston.
We’ll see what happens in August. But again, this is a depth move. Not every signing teams do during free agency is for starters.
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