Would you rather have draft picks....or Sean Payton back?

That's certainly not universally true. There are more than a few examples of coaches and players taking a break and returning with similar or even improved results. I don't know if that would happen in Payton's case, but I like the odds there.

And fwiw, I'm having a hard time thinking of who out there is a better option than Payton.

Nobody available would be better.