Colts draft DE Kwity Paye - Round 1, Pick 21

[AlwaysSunnyinIndy]

Wow. No trade.

Ballard goes defense with the pick.

https://twitter.com/RapSheet/status/1387963069280792579

The Colts take at No. 21 Michigan pass-rusher Kwity Paye, the best available pass-rusher.

https://twitter.com/RapSheet/status/1387963100280901635

A wild week for Michigan pass-rusher Kwity Paye, who had a very serious health scare when his heart was red-flagged during a pre-draft physical. In the end, teams cleared Paye completely, source said, after his team arranged for endless tests.

https://twitter.com/RapSheet/status/1387963120472129543

When Kwity Paye’s troponin levels in his blood came back high originally – potentially due to a strenuous workout the day before – teams raced for answers. A battery of tests ensued. Lab work showed the troponin levels had returned to normal. Paye was not considered a major risk.

https://twitter.com/zkeefer/status/1387963127669592065

Kwity Paye was the No. 1-ranked player on Bruce Feldman's Freaks List.

I like the pick. Adds some punch to a defensive pass rush that needs it.

Can likely address left tackle in Round 2.

https://twitter.com/JoelAErickson/st...78136822947844

A lot of pre-draft contact between Paye and the Colts. He said they talked three times.

https://twitter.com/JoelAErickson/st...78952057233410

Paye says a lot of teams saw him as a 3-4 outside linebacker. His whole focus going into the NFL is to improve as a pass rusher.

https://twitter.com/zkeefer/status/1387963925510213632

One thing the Colts are banking on: Brian Baker, their DL coach, will help Kwity Paye develop his pass rush repertoire.

Baker was huge in the development of Grover Stewart and Tyquan Lewis in his first year with the Colts in 2020.

https://twitter.com/zkeefer/status/1387965051999555586

Word from Colts facility — team's pretty pumped they got Kwity Paye at 21. Not a lot of talk of trading back. Paye was the highest player on their board.

https://twitter.com/JoelAErickson/st...83340762976256

Ballard: "I've made some pretty easy picks, where you just knew. ... Pulling the card of Kwity Paye was very easy. He's for everything we stand for."

https://twitter.com/jimayello/status...83440985968643

Chris Ballard: "I just feel fortunate tonight. Sometimes it just goes your way, and tonight we felt like it did."

[IndyNorm]

Pretty disappointing. I can't believe Ballard didn't take either Darrisaw or Jenkins. Apparently we need another DE who can't get to the QB

Edit: And he possibly has health issues too? Fucking great.

[nate505]

I like the pick a lot, though that means nothing. Darrisaw would have been my first pick, but Paye was second. He is a hard worker, has a great motor, and has elite physical skills.

[Ironshaft]

First Ballard 1st round pick I am disappointed in.

Darrisaw or Farley seem to be MUCH higher impact. Paye look so much like anotyer Turay or Banogu it is not even funny.

[CaliColtsFan]

I like Kwity.

You can teach technique (Robert Mathis?).

Heart and effort isn’t as easy to teach, and always goes a long way!

Go Colts! 💙

[AlwaysSunnyinIndy]

https://www.nfl.com/news/2021-nfl-dr...op-value-picks

Day 1 Value Picks:

1. Justin Fields

2. Rashawn Slater

3. Kwity Paye - Over the past two seasons, Paye recorded 40 QB hurries (third in Big Ten) and 59 pressures (fifth in Big Ten), according to PFF. The Michigan defender lined up all over the Wolverines' front and fits like a glove with the Colts, where he'll likely be used in several different packages and schemes right away. I measured Paye's burst (the time it takes him to travel two yards from the line of scrimmage), and it was the second-fastest in college football this past season at 0.64 seconds. The edge rusher adds 0.74 wins to the Colts this upcoming season.

4. Christian Darrisaw

5. Gregory Rousseau

[HoosierinFL]

From what I can tell, the LT depth in this draft is good enough that Ballard has his eye on a player he can get in the 2nd round. I wouldn’t be surprised to see a trade up into the early 2nd round, but either way, LT is on the board for the next pick.