Colts draft DE Kwity Paye - Round 1, Pick 21
 

Wow. No trade.

Ballard goes defense with the pick.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 :mad:

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

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.

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.

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! 💙

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

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.

If we still land someone like Cosmi or Eichenberg then I think we'll all feel a lot better. The problem is that it'll probably take trading up to get one of those guys and we don't have much draft capitol left in this year's draft so will probably have to pay next year's draft premium to get there.

I was disappointed to see that we passed on Jenkins and especially Darrisaw, but Kwitty Paye feels like a solid choice for us. We can come back and snag an OT in round 2. I'm seeing comments about lack of pass rush production, but I don't think the production means as much in the college game. The way the game goes QB's usually have 1 read and then get rid of the ball. I do think that Paye ins't the best pure speed pass rusher, but his frame will be that of a 3 down DE in our system. We already have some speed assuming Turay gets right and Paye becomes a pillar that can be utilized in both run and passing situations. Good pick.

Also check out this absolutely incredible story! Not going to be hard to root for him.

Glad you pointed that out. Paye was used all over the line to be disruptive in various ways. THIS is why so many had him high on their boards. Obviously Ballard and staff saw his abilities and how he fit the Defense.

Most assessors had him ranked high in general and very high when specifically ranking DEs. USA today had him ranked #1. Of course there are experts here that are much smarter in assessing talent than any of the professionals, but I can only hope they've misjudged Paye and he turns into a stud. ;)

https://twitter.com/BaldyNFL/status/...351373320?s=20

I'd love to see his film breakdown of that.

I've been saying all offseason the Ballard would probably go DE in the first if Paye or Philips was there.

They are elite prospects at a position of need, and not many good ones after them.

I am glad he picked him when he was there instead of trading down, or getting an LT, (Yes even Darrisaw) when the talent at tackle in the 2nd round is not much of a dip, and he'll find a good one then.

If he hadn't gotten Philips when he did, he would have not gotten one the rest of the draft. Or at least, not one better than what we already have.

If you haven’t watched the Kwity Paye story yet do yourself a favor.

https://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-360-t...ty-paye-s-name

Awesome, Thank you!