It was a bit over a week into the 2026 free agency period before the Detroit Lions signed an edge rusher (DJ Wonnum), but it only took them three days before they added a second. On Friday, the Lions announced that they had signed former first-round pick Payton Turner.
Injuries have impeded Turner’s production and development, which is why this will be his third team in the last three seasons. But the Lions are willing to take a flyer on the physical traits that led to his first-round draft selection,
in hopes of reigniting his career.
Origin story
Turner grew up in Houston and stayed home to attend the University of Houston, where he started the final three seasons of his college career. After his senior season, Turner was invited to the Senior Bowl and participated at the NFL Combine, illustrating the type of athleticism (RAS: 9.85) expected of a high draft pick. While he was largely projected as carrying second-round value, the Saints believed he possessed a rare enough skill set to warrant a higher selection, and drafted him with pick No. 28 in the first round.
Here’s an excerpt from The Athletic’s Dane Brugler on Turner’s profile heading into the draft:
“Turner is among the best effort players in this draft class, using his long strides and speed to chase down ball carriers. He is a high-cut rusher and battles balance issues vs. leveraged power, but he does a great job keeping his hands and feet in lock step to attack and work off blocks. Overall, Turner needs to cultivate his pass rush sequence, but he has outstanding length, foot quickness and competitive energy. He projects as an eventual NFL starter with inside/outside versatility.”
While he was still developing at the position, Turner profiled as an impressively sized (6-foot-6, 270 pounds) base 4-3 defensive end with a unique pass-rushing bend. Turner had some obvious flaws, like not maximizing his length, inconsistent technique, and late hands, but his ability to steadily improve throughout college suggested he could make the necessary improvements to start in the NFL.
Unfortunately, Turner’s career was plagued by injuries, and he never found enough time on task to develop his overall skills. After playing in only 31 games (no starts) over the first four years in the NFL, Turner left New Orleans during the 2025 offseason and joined the Dallas Cowboys. Once again, injuries zapped his season, and he never found the field last season.
Injury history
Turner’s injury history dates back to college, when he missed the majority of his sophomore season due to a foot injury. In the NFL, a calf injury cost him games early in his first season, then his rookie year (2021) was cut short after he was placed on injured reserve due to a shoulder injury. Chest and ankle injuries cost him multiple games in 2022, with a toe injury keeping him out most of 2023. In his final season with the Saints, Turner dealt with knee and ankle injuries but played through them and was active in 16 games. Last season in Dallas, a training camp rib injury cost him the season.
The good news: Turner’s injuries are separate, suggesting he doesn’t have one lingering issue to overcome, like some of the Lions’ recent players with health issues.
The bad news: He’s missed games due to injuries to his toe, foot, ankle, calf, knee, chest, ribs, and shoulder, suggesting an injury can come from anywhere at any time.
Is he Marcus Davenport, or can he be Charles Harris?
Turner isn’t the first reclamation project that this regime has rostered.
Most recently, the Lions spent the last two seasons hoping to unlock Marcus Davenport, only to see him unable to overcome his injuries. However, in 2021, Detroit took a shot on the discarded Charles Harris, and he responded by earning a starting role, recording eight sacks and forcing 52 pressures. The following season, Harris once again opened as a starter, but he only played in six games due to injury. By 2023, his last in Detroit, he was reduced to a rotational role as his age caught up with him.
Turner’s lengthy injury history suggests he’s closer to Davenport than Harris at this time, but the Lions are hoping they can pull some Harris-like production out of him.
Expected role in 2026
With Turner’s injury history, it’s hard to view him much more than a pass-rushing complement option who will get a chance to work his way into a rotation, but is also in danger of not making the team. His last season in New Orleans showed a best-case scenario, where he played in 16 games, averaged around 20 snaps per game (probably less in Detroit), and earned a 70.8 pass-rushing grade from PFF.
Free agency impact
Turner likely won’t stop the Lions from pursuing additional talent on the edge. However, the roster is now up to 66 players, and if they keep all nine of their draft picks, that would bring them up to 75. On average, the Lions sign anywhere from 12 to 17 undrafted free agents (UDFAs) following the draft (they signed 12 last offseason), meaning they’re either near the end of their free agency additions or getting very close.
NFL draft impact
The addition of Turner will also not likely disrupt their draft plans, meaning they’ll still probably be in the market for at least one edge rusher and maybe more. Everything I wrote in my DJ Wonnum roster impact article still applies:
“Regardless of what happens in free agency, the Lions will likely have a pass rusher near the top of their 2026 NFL Draft wishlists. With a deep edge rusher class, the addition of Wonnum gives the Lions the flexibility to not force a decision on when to select a pass rusher.
“If the right player is on the board when the Lions pick at No. 17 or No. 50, they can pair him with Wonnum and should feel comfortable in the rotational duo across from Hutchinson. However, if the right value isn’t there on Days 1 or 2 of the draft, the Lions will still have options on Day 3, but would likely be picking from a pool of players who are more specialists than every-down rotational players.“
You can keep track of the Lions’ roster moves and the latest NFL free agency news with our 2026 tracker, our contract tracker, and our rumor tracker.
