Payton Turner

Payton Turner (born January 7, 1999) is an American professional football defensive end for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Houston Cougars and was selected by the New Orleans Saints in the first round of the 2021 NFL draft.

Payton Turner

Turner with the New Orleans Saints in 2021
No. 98 – Dallas Cowboys
Position:	Defensive end
Personal information
Born:	(1999-01-07) January 7, 1999 (age 26) Houston, Texas, U.S.
Height:	6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
Weight:	270 lb (122 kg)
Career information
High school:	Westside (Houston)
College:	Houston (2017–2020)
NFL draft:	2021: 1st round, 28th pick
Career history
New Orleans Saints (2021–2024) Dallas Cowboys (2025–present)
Roster status:	Active
Career highlights and awards
Second-team All-AAC (2020)
Career NFL statistics as of 2024
Total tackles: 50 Sacks: 5.0 Forced fumbles: 2 Fumble recoveries: 1 Pass deflections: 4 Stats at Pro Football Reference

Early life

Turner grew up in Houston, Texas and attended Westside High School, where he played basketball and football.^[1]

College career

Turner was a member of the Houston Cougars for four seasons, starting his final three years.^[2] He was a member of the Cougars' pass rush rotation during his freshman year and finished the season with 14 tackles, one sack and one interception.^[3] His sophomore season ended prematurely due to a foot injury.^[4] As a senior, Turner was named second team All-American Athletic Conference after recording 25 tackles, 10.5 for a loss, with five sacks in five games played, missing two games due to injury and opting out of the New Mexico Bowl.^[5][6] After the season, Turner played in the 2021 Senior Bowl.^[7]

Statistics

Year	GP	Tackles					Interceptions					Fumbles
		Solo	Ast	Total	Loss	Sack	Int	Yards	Avg	TD	PD	FR	Yards	TD	FF
2017	8	10	4	14	2	1	1	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0
2018	11	21	21	42	3.5	0	0	0	0	0	4	0	0	0	0
2019	12	20	13	33	7.5	3.5	0	0	0	0	4	0	0	0	0
2020	5	17	8	25	10.5	5	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables

Height	Weight	Arm length	Hand span	20-yard shuttle	Three-cone drill	Vertical jump	Bench press
6 ft 5+3⁄8 in (1.97 m)	270 lb (122 kg)	35 in (0.89 m)	10+1⁄4 in (0.26 m)	4.31 s	7.01 s	35.5 in (0.90 m)	23 reps
All values from Pro Day[8][9][10]

New Orleans Saints

Turner was selected by the New Orleans Saints in the first round (28th overall) of the 2021 NFL draft.^[11] He signed his four-year rookie contract with New Orleans on June 8, 2021.^[12] On November 11, 2021, Turner was placed on injured reserve with a shoulder injury.^[13]

On September 13, 2023, Turner was placed on injured reserve after suffering from a turf toe injury in the season opener against the Tennessee Titans.^[14] He was activated on January 5, 2024.^[15]

Dallas Cowboys

On March 11, 2025, Turner signed a one-year deal with the Dallas Cowboys.^[16]