Five years is the perfect window to truly evaluate an NFL draft class. The initial hype has faded, rookie contracts are expiring, and careers have taken definitive shape. The New Orleans Saints' 2021 draft class, sandwiched between their stellar 2017 haul and the promising 2025 group, perfectly embodies the "hit-or-miss" nature of team building. Let's revisit that pivotal class and see where these players stand today.
First-round defensive end Payton Turner's story in New Orleans became one of unfulfilled potential and frustrating injuries. Showing only sporadic flashes of the talent that made him a first-round pick, Turner managed just 31 games over four seasons, with a career-high of 16 in 2024. The Saints declined his fifth-year option, and he has since journeyed to Dallas and now Detroit, though a 2025 injury sidelined him entirely. For the Saints, it remains a pick that simply didn't pan out.
In contrast, second-round linebacker Pete Werner represents a clear success story. While he can be a polarizing figure among fans, his consistent, above-average production earned him a new three-year contract in 2024. With the legendary Demario Davis moving on, Werner is poised for an even larger role in 2026, especially in coverage, complementing the pass-rush skills of teammate Kaden Elliss.
The class took another turn with third-round cornerback Paulson Adebo. After several up-and-down seasons showcasing both lockdown ability and inconsistency, Adebo departed in the 2025 offseason, signing with the New York Giants. His departure left a question mark in the Saints' secondary and highlighted the challenge of developing mid-round defensive backs.
This 2021 class is a masterclass in draft volatility for Saints fans. It produced a core defensive starter in Werner, a high-profile miss in Turner, and a solid player in Adebo who ultimately found his future elsewhere. It serves as a reminder that building a roster is a marathon, not a sprint, and true evaluation requires the patience to see a player's full NFL journey unfold.