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‘Kwity Paye is different’: ESPN’s Todd McShay has rave review of former Michigan DE
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There are still a lot of questions entering the 2021 NFL Draft, but it doesn’t sound like Kwity Paye’s status as one of the top defensive ends in the class is one of them. The former Michigan lineman seems to be getting plenty of respect from scouts and analysts.
ESPN’s Todd McShay is one of the analysts most impressed by what Paye brings to the table. In a recent edition of the First Draft podcast, McShay raved about Paye’s skill set and abilities.
“When I put on the tape, Kwity Paye is different,” McShay said. “He has suddenness and twitchiness that some of these other guys don’t have. And I know his stats weren’t exceptional, but he is constantly disrupting. The other thing I love about him, you got to have this as a defensive end or pass-rusher, the motor.
“He flies around the field, he plays sideline to sideline, he will chase you down from behind, and he’s got explosive workout numbers as well. So I don’t think it’s that big of a reach. I think at some point, you know after 10, we’re going to see the defensive end, the edge-rushers start to come off the board.”
In his latest mock draft, ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. has Paye slotted as a first-round selection, going No. 11 to the New York Giants.
Paye closed out his career at Michigan in 2020 with 16 tackles, 4 for loss and 2 sacks. It wasn’t the best season for Paye or the Wolverines, which finished the season with a 2-4 record.
Throughout the course of his career, Paye demonstrated an ability to put pressure on the quarterback and get into the backfield. He is credited with 23.5 tackles for loss, 11.5 sacks and 10 quarterback hurries over his four-year career in Ann Arbor.
Currently, Kiper has Paye as the No. 2 player off the board out of the B1G, behind Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields.
Dustin grew up in the heart of Big Ten country and has been in sports media since 2010. He has been covering Big Ten football since 2014. You can follow him on Twitter: @SchutteCFB