4MR Draft Profiles – Kwity Paye

6’2 261

22 y/o Senior – University of Michigan

Summary:

Kwity Paye is a really good run defender on the edge. He reads his keys quickly and gets off blocks to make plays in the run game. When the offensive tackle turns his hip away from Paye he knows to squeeze down on his gap, stay patient by keeping his shoulders and hips square. There are several examples of this on tape where he’s consistently in great position to defend the run. He’s also really consistent with getting full extension, eye discipline to quickly locate the ball, disengage his blocker to make the play. The word of the day here is CONSISTENCY for Paye in the run game. This makes him a high floor prospect. What can take him to the next level is continued development with his pass rush. He uses his hands really well and knows how to extend and dislodge, but I wouldn’t call him a great pass rusher just yet. Could he get some pressure on the QB as a rookie in the NFL? Yes. The reason he probably won’t go in the top 15 of the draft is because he’s not there as a rusher yet. There’s still a lot to love about Paye though.

STRENGTHS:

Plays great technique with consistency

Has very powerful hands to compliment great functional strength

Possess very elite athleticism to disengage blockers

Easily can convert speed to power with bull rush and rip moves.

Plays with a non stop motor until the whistle blows

Has displayed ability to rush the QB from the DT position.

Effective as a 4-3 DE and as a 3-4 OLB

WEAKNESSES:

Needs to develop very raw pass rushing abilities

Needs to add weight and bulk to his frame

Struggles at time with big athletic offensive tackles

CONCLUSION:

I have been really high on the Front 7 talent coming out of Michigan in the last few drafts. I am on record as saying I would’ve taken Chase Winovich in the top 40 of the 2019 NFL Draft. Time will tell if I was crazy, but for now I have to give a shoutout to the DL coach at Michigan, Shaun Nua. You can tell these guys are really well coached when they leave the program. The players deserve some credit too for being coachable and applying what they’re taught. Paye is the latest example of this. I believe he will reach his ceiling as a complete EDGE guy because of that reason. Not sure I would take him in the Top 10, but around 15th overall I would feel very comfortable.

Overall Grade: 6.0 (Day 1 Solid Starter)