Payton Seizing Opportunities

By Ross Jackson

The NFL preseason is all about players getting comfortable with their teammates and systems, but perhaps even more-so about players making a name for themselves. Not a lot of under-the-radar players have done so this offseason more than New Orleans Saints undrafted rookie cornerback Rico Payton.

Payton has put his name on the map this preseason turning in two stellar performances. Through that pair of games, he has performed as one of the top cornerbacks in the NFL. One number places him at the very top of the league in a stat that could tell an entirely different story than it does: targets. 

Payton has been the most targeted cornerback in the NFL through these first two games with 13 passes going his way, per Pro Football Focus. With a heavy volume of targets like that, things could go south quickly. But Payton’s composure and lack of panic when the ball is in the air has helped him allow just three catches while breaking up five. His 39% forced incompletion percentage tops the 11 corners with more than 10 targets.

There is another Saints cornerback in that group as well: Rejzohn Wright, who has allowed just four catches with two pass breakups himself. 

Payton’s calm, even when a receiver has a step on him, has allowed him to use his closing speed to regain ground and make some impressive plays on defense. The undrafted free agent rookie out of Pittsburgh State has quickly become a fan-favorite.

He has also stood out among the local media as a player that has shown elite levels of resilience. Throughout training camp, Payton was often picked on and ended up allowing some big catches here and there. Enough to be someone that almost felt like he was on the precipice of losing his roster spot.

The ever-patient Saints, however, were not so convinced. Because of the work he has put in, he has now turned into one of the preseason’s fastest-rising stars. 

Payton will have another chance to show what he can do this weekend as the Titans come to the Big Easy. He is in prime position now to take hold of the fifth cornerback spot behind Marshon Lattimore. Paulson Adebo, Alontae Taylor and Kool-Aid McKinstry. The 6-foot, 182-pound corner has so far shown that he deserves that spot. But one more solid performance should cement his claim.