Kwity Paye

[jasperhobbs]

No way the colts will pick up the 5th year option with Latu in the fold. Paye is not worth the money.

[ChaosTheory]

At $13.4m, maybe not. That wouldn't mean we can't resign him later on. It will be interesting to see how Latu affects the dynamic.

People should realize that Latu is not Paye's replacement. They play the same position... but they don't play the same position.

[omahacolt]

At $13.4m, maybe not. That wouldn't mean we can't resign him later on. It will be interesting to see how Latu affects the dynamic.

People should realize that Latu is not Paye's replacement. They play the same position... but they don't play the same position.

paye isn't a starting caliber de imo. he is a decent player but he should be a backup.

[jasperhobbs]

At $13.4m, maybe not. That wouldn't mean we can't resign him later on. It will be interesting to see how Latu affects the dynamic.

People should realize that Latu is not Paye's replacement. They play the same position... but they don't play the same position.

Who does Latu replace? Samson Ebukah perhaps or part of the rotation maybe. Supposedly Latu is good against the run along with pass rushing skills.

[YDFL Commish]

Paye probably will not get the 5th year option. But that's more about Dayo being able to do everything Paye can do. Dayo is also more versatile and will be cheaper.

[ChaosTheory]

Who does Latu replace? Samson Ebukah perhaps or part of the rotation maybe. Supposedly Latu is good against the run along with pass rushing skills.

I just mean, for simplicity's sake, Kwity is more of the Gus Bradley Big (2-gap 6 strongside) whereas Ebukam was more of the LEO (weakside 9). Again, it's not that simple, but just generally speaking.

Latu is plenty talented enough to do both, but primarily you would want him in the Ebukam role.

Now, that said, there's clearly going to be a rotation. Ebukam and Kwity each played roughly 2/3 of the snaps in '23. I can picture lots of scenarios. Maybe we often see Latu rotate a little less because he can play weakside with Kwity or strongside with Ebukam.

I'm just thinking out loud, so I could be wrong. But I'm very interested to see how they mix and match.

[ChaosTheory]

Paye probably will not get the 5th year option. But that's more about Dayo being able to do everything Paye can do. Dayo is also more versatile and will be cheaper.

Of course, I didn't even throw Dayo into the mix.

[sherck]

I think the term "starter" and "backup" will be pretty blurred with our D ends.

Obvious run situations, two best run defenders.

Obvious pass situations, two best pass rushers.

Situations inbetween? Rotate all five of them so they are fresh later in the game.

I think in terms of "packages" rather than starters and backups. They will all get snaps based on their performance.

[AlwaysSunnyinIndy]

Today, the Colts picked up Paye's 5th year option.


https://www.colts.com/news/kwity-paye-fifth-year-option-exercised-picked-up-2021-nfl-draft-first-round

The Colts on Thursday exercised the fifth-year option on defensive end Kwity Paye's rookie contract, which keeps the 2021 first-round pick under contract in Indianapolis through the 2025 season.

Paye in 2023 set career highs in games played (16), sacks (8.5), tackles (52) and forced fumbles (two). The 6-foot-3, 265 pound Paye had a sack in each of his first three games last season and recorded his second career multi-sack game in the Colts' Week 13 overtime win over the Tennessee Titans. His 78.1 Pro Football Focus run defense grade ranked 11th in 2023 among started defensive ends, too.

Defensive coordinator Gus Bradley this week described Paye as a player "that you trust" within the Colts' defense.

"On the edge, (he) does things right, comes to work every day, you know what you're going to get, highly respected by all of his teammates and I believe, and I think all of our coaches and even this organization – there is another level for him," Bradley said. "In this short period of time, you can see that in his mind too. He's excited about (defensive line coach) Charlie (Partridge) in there and learning some different things right there for him. You can just feel like Kwity, like we said with rushers – sometimes it can take some time. We think he's in a good space right now just in my visits with him."

Over 43 career games, all of which he's started, Paye had 18.5 sacks, 129 tackles, 21 tackles for a loss, 29 quarterback hits and three forced fumbles. The Colts selected Paye out of Michigan with the No. 21 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.

"Kwity is a really good football player," general manager Chris Ballard said last week. "He had 8.5 sacks last year, plays the crap out of the run, he's a great teammate. I think you know our philosophy; we want to keep as many of our own guys as we can. We like Kwity a lot."

[Dam8610]

That's interesting. I don't hate it. Paye certainly could be a good Robin to Latu's Batman.

[ChaosTheory]

Today, the Colts picked up Paye's 5th year option.


https://www.colts.com/news/kwity-paye-fifth-year-option-exercised-picked-up-2021-nfl-draft-first-round

Good news. People are getting way down on Kwity, especially after Latu.

Kwity is good and Latu is only going to amplify him.

[YDFL Commish]

Good news. People are getting way down on Kwity, especially after Latu.

Kwity is good and Latu is only going to amplify him.

I for one am not down on Kwity.

Every team needs a DE that stays gap sound and sets the edge.

If it just means that we lose Tyquan Lewis next year. Then so be it.

[Dam8610]

Good news. People are getting way down on Kwity, especially after Latu.

Kwity is good and Latu is only going to amplify him.

He had 8.5 sacks last year without an alpha pass rusher drawing blocking away from him. He could become a double digit guy with Latu on the other side of him.

[TheMugwump]

He had 8.5 sacks last year without an alpha pass rusher drawing blocking away from him. He could become a double digit guy with Latu on the other side of him.

Exactly. It will help Latu having Buckner in the middle too. And 8.5 sacks is not chicken feed. This D-Line has 60 sack potential.

[HoosierinFL]

He had 8.5 sacks last year without an alpha pass rusher drawing blocking away from him. He could become a double digit guy with Latu on the other side of him.

The run defense also dropped off when he missed time

[njcoltfan]

He had 8.5 sacks last year without an alpha pass rusher drawing blocking away from him. He could become a double digit guy with Latu on the other side of him.
Freeney and Mathis ???

[sherck]

Our D-Line is going to be fun to watch this season.

A sleep acquisition for the D-Line this year was the signing of Raekwon Davis at DT. He is the Grover Stewart backup that we have been needing for a while to keep him fresher down the stretch of games.

Even in our prime "base" D-Line of Latu, D-For, Stewart and Paye, an opposing O-Line can only double two of them in pass sets by keeping the back in or assigning a TE to help. One of: Latu, D-For or Paye will be singled almost every play and Stewart will be singled as well. I like those odds.

Depth of Ebukam, Lewis and Odeyingbo with Lewis and Odeyingbo being able to rush from the inside are some match-up nightmares waiting to happen.

If Latu happens....i.e. he is a T.J. Watt clone-ish.....this D-Line is going to make A LOT of plays this season.

[ChaosTheory]

Our D-Line is going to be fun to watch this season.

A sleep acquisition for the D-Line this year was the signing of Raekwon Davis at DT. He is the Grover Stewart backup that we have been needing for a while to keep him fresher down the stretch of games.

Even in our prime "base" D-Line of Latu, D-For, Stewart and Paye, an opposing O-Line can only double two of them in pass sets by keeping the back in or assigning a TE to help. One of: Latu, D-For or Paye will be singled almost every play and Stewart will be singled as well. I like those odds.

Depth of Ebukam, Lewis and Odeyingbo with Lewis and Odeyingbo being able to rush from the inside are some match-up nightmares waiting to happen.

If Latu happens....i.e. he is a T.J. Watt clone-ish.....this D-Line is going to make A LOT of plays this season.

There will be different combinations, too. Like imagine a 3rd-and-10 situation with a lineup of Ebukam>>>>Buckner>>Latu>>>Paye.

[IndyNorm]

Glad we picked up Kwity's option. Not sure that he's earned an extension yet (at least a big one) but definitely agree he earned his 5th year option. Was surprised that Ballard waited as long as he did to pull the trigger on it. Seemed like he was waiting to see how the draft went.

[Chromeburn]

Freeney and Mathis ???

Probably not. But those guys were a huge liability against the run unlike the current crew. Also in today’s game tackles are lighter and you’re starting to see a trend towards stronger DEs because a lot of tackles today struggle with strength rushes and Paye does a mean bull rush.

[Dam8610]

There will be different combinations, too. Like imagine a 3rd-and-10 situation with a lineup of Ebukam>>>>Buckner>>Latu>>>Paye.

That's a nasty NASCAR package, as is Latu-Buckner-Dayo-Paye.

[Colts And Orioles]

o


Paye and Kenny Moore II will not play against the Steelers on Sunday.



Colts Rule Out Pair of Significant Defenders vs. Steelers

(By Jake Arthur)

https://www.si.com/nfl/colts/news/colts-rule-out-kenny-moore-kwity-paye

o

[Colts And Orioles]

There is no way that the Colts will pick up the 5th-year option with Latu in the fold. Paye is not worth the money.





o



(2 YEARS LATER)



The Raiders Sign Edge Kwitty Paye


Terms: ) 3 Years / $48 Million

Grade: ) D +



I knew I was going to be down on Paye's signing no matter what ...... and that was before I found out that it was going to be at $16 Million per-year. Paye ranked last in pass rush win rate among all qualifiers at the Edge position, at just 4.5%. That's a brutal number, especially when combined with a 12th percentile pressure rate. And he performed poorly in both numbers in 2024, too.

Now, in the wake of the Maxx Crosby trade, the Raiders absolutely need pass rush. Paye will join Malcolm Koonce and Tyree Wilson in trying to get after opposing quarterbacks. And I endorse the Raiders going after an edge rusher, by all means! But there were better options.

Paying a few million more per year to sign Boye Mafe would have been several multiples better. Going after K'Lavon Chaisson ...... maybe on a cheaper contract ...... would have been better. I'm guessing Paye's status as a 2021 first-round pick probably contributed to the contract, even if it shouldn't have.

Las Vegas handed out a lot of money Monday, and this was one spot where it could have put it to better use. ) (Seth Walder)



https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/47911726/2026-nfl-free-agency-grades-signings-trades-latest-best-worst-deals-draft-outlook

o

[YDFL Commish]

o





Now, in the wake of the Maxx Crosby trade, the Raiders absolutely need pass rush. Paye will join Malcolm Koonce and Tyree Wilson in trying to get after opposing quarterbacks. And I endorse the Raiders going after an edge rusher, by all means! But there were better options.

o

Tyree Wilson is now with the Saints.

[Mr. Session]

You never know, Jerry Hughes ended up being a great player for Buffalo.

Granted, Hughes started improving and showing promise before we shipped him out.

Paye was always like a poor man's Erik Walden to me.

[Colts And Orioles]

You never know, Jerry Hughes ended up being a great player for Buffalo.

Granted, Hughes started improving and showing promise before we shipped him out.

Paye was always like a poor man's Erik Walden to me.





o


Paye was getting accolades here on ColtFreaks for how well he was playing in 2023 and 2024 ...... that wasn't that long ago.

o

[YDFL Commish]

He was getting accolades, because we thought we had an improving player. Sadly, we actually had regressing player.

[Colts And Orioles]

He was getting accolades, because we thought we had an improving player. Sadly, we actually had regressing player.





o


If that's the case, and he bombs out with the Raiders, then the D+ grade that Seth Walder gave them will have been very accurate ...... if he returns to the form that he had in 2023 or 2024, then it won't be the first time that a player rebounds from an awful season.

I'm betting on the former, but I wouldn't be shocked if it turned out to be the latter.

o

[YDFL Commish]

o


If that's the case, and he bombs out with the Raiders, then the D+ grade that Seth Walder gave them will have been very accurate ...... if he returns to the form that he had in 2023 or 2024, then it won't be the first time that a player rebounds from an awful season.

I'm betting on the former, but I wouldn't be shocked if it turned out to be the latter.

o

The Raiders overpaid for Kwity's services, regardless of whether or not he returns to form.

It's the Raiders, what do you expect?

[Kray007]

It’s a little odd. Usually, a player in their contract year suddenly steps up his game in hopes of striking it rich in his second contract. Paye regressed and still got paid.

[Colts And Orioles]

Tyree Wilson is now with the Saints.





o


Thanks ...... the article was written on April 18th, 7 days before Wilson was traded.

o