DE Kwity Paye, Michigan (6’4”, 272)
Background:
Appeared in nine games as a true freshman, then started four of thirteen games played the following year and posted 27-5.5-2.0. Followed that up with a 50-12.5-6.5 junior year and a 16-4.0-2.0 senior year, playing in four games.
Positives:
Overcame a lot of adversity, having been born in a refugee camp and only immigrating the US when he was six years old. Has added over thirty pounds of bulk since his freshman season and is well-built for an edge defender. An athletic freak in the mold of former teammate and first-round pick Rashan Gary. Typically lines up in a four-point stance, playing on both sides of the line and working as an end on both three- and four-man defensive lines. Fires out of his stance low and does a good job of digging in versus power in the run game, locking his arms out and anchoring. Maintains gap integrity well when two-gapping. Very active with his hands to shed blocks and work his way through traffic. Has the bend and closing burst to finish versus passers or hunt down opposing rushers from the backside in the run game. Impressive range and work rate when pursuing. Varies his rushing approach, mixing in a lot of inside moves. Converts speed to power effectively. Able to get his shoulders low and slip under punches when rounding the corner. Actively seeks out free lanes to the passer and has the agility to reach them; lateral quickness is very impressive. Sniffs out screens well.
Negatives:
Production is on the lower end for a player as highly-regarded as he is. Took snaps on the interior of the defensive line but looks more comfortable on the edge; relatively limited snaps working out of a two-point stance during the games reviewed. Frame is a little bit too small for a five-technique end. Can occasionally get preoccupied with taking on blocks and lose track of the ball. Would like to see him with with speed and bend around the edge more often; tends to favor more direct approaches and inside moves even when playing wide techniques. Wasn’t really asked to drop into coverage very often.
Summary:
A very similar prospect to former Wolverine Rashan Gary, combining a very solid build with freakish athleticism and the power to two-gap in the run game and win with power-based approaches as a pass rusher. Looks very likely to come off the board in the first round as someone who teams can move around on defense; best fit would probably be as a strongside defensive end on a four-man line, playing in a scheme with two-gap principles which take advantage of his discipline and ability to lock out defenders at the line of scrimmage.
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