STRENGTHS
Payton is a quick/twitch athlete and might be one of the quickest Defensive Lineman in this draft. He is quick off the line with the quickest hand techniques to free himself up to make a tackle or a sack. He has the size, and the length, teams are looking for in a pure edge rusher along with the effort on every play. He has the athletic talent to fall off the line of scrimmage in coverage and could cover most big Tight Ends because of his ability to flip his hips in coverage situations. Because of his quick hands, Payton is one of the best at shedding blocks and making a tackle. He was invited to the Shrine game this year and dominated. Because of his play in practice and the game, he was then invited to play in the Senior Bowl and embarrass many top players in practice and the game because of his size, quickness, excellent hand techniques, and effort on every snap in practice and the game. Payton has the potential to be a special player for the team that selects him at the next level and as of this writing, no one has even mentioned him.
CONCERNS
Payton will need to get stronger in his lower body, he does get moved off his line to the quarterback, when he takes that outside rush but this should not be much of an issue to correct and get better at. Basically, I’m nitpicking.
BOTTOM LINE 1.61
I don’t know what to tell you, I turn on the film and see this type of talent, in a player who is 6’ 5”, 270 lbs, and I just shake my head and wonder how no one has mention Payton as one of the top edge rushers in this draft? I mean, he goes to 2 all-star, draft evaluation games, and dominates, and still, no one says a word about this kid. He changes the line of scrimmage in his favor on every snap and his effort, on a play even when it goes away from him, is unique to only the players whose passion, is to play at their highest level. Think about it, at 6’5” 270 lbs, and his college team used Payton in the robber position for 4 games last year…think about that. As I stated before, Payton could be a special player for the team that selects him so look at Rob’s board to see at what point in this draft he is most likely to be selected in but for me, he’s a player with 1st round talent that should be selected in the 1st round. Oh boy, that limb I’m out on is bending big time this year.
