FRISCO, Texas — Add another shrimp to the defensive line barbecue for the Dallas Cowboys, having continued their free agency work after agreeing to terms with Solomon Thomas on a two-year deal early on Day 2 of open market activities. Payton Turner, a young defensive end with veteran experience, has agreed to join the Cowboys on a one-year deal.
Like Thomas, Turner is a former first-round pick, though in 2021, and his contract indicates he'll have every opportunity to prove himself this summer, with $2 million of his $3 million max value being guaranteed by Dallas.
He also holds the interesting title of being the final first-round pick of the Sean Payton era in New Orleans.
A Houston native, the 26-year-old returns to his home state of Texas and with a chance to develop under the tutelage of new defensive line coach Aaron Whitecotton and defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus, having already shown flashes at times in his young career of what might be hiding beneath the surface.
Things began coming together for him in 2024, when he was available for a career-high 16 games and, as a rotational player, delivered two sacks and three quarterback hits along with 21 combined tackles, a career-best in that category as well.
He joins a defensive line headlined by Micah Parsons and Osa Odighizuwa, as Mazi Smith looks to take another step forward as well, and with Solomon Thomas waiting to meet him as well when OTAs get underway.
