For a second straight year, an NFL Network analyst says Michigan underutilized an edge rusher.
On Tuesday, network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah said projected first-round pick Kwity Paye played “out of position a little bit” during his time at Michigan, a conclusion he came to after watching film of Paye in recent years.
In his most recent mock draft for NFL.com, Jeremiah has Paye going to the Las Vegas Raiders at No. 17.
“Kwity is interesting — because Don Brown moved him so much, and moved him all over the place,” Jeremiah said on a conference call with reporters. “A lot of times in a zero-technique, head over the center, and they just kind of (played) run games with him.”
Paye’s statistical achievements (or lack thereof) seemed to bear that out during his four-year stint at Michigan. In 38 games, he had 100 tackles (23 1/2 for a loss) and 11 1/2 sacks, with his most accomplished season coming in 2019 when he had 12 1/2 tackles for loss and 6 1/2 sacks.
While good, but they weren’t extraordinary — leading one to believe whether it was the 6-foot-4, 272-pound Paye’s ability or the spots he was put in.
More: ESPN’s Todd McShay has Paye going No. 14
“He is strong and explosive,” Jeremiah said. “The test numbers — when everyone sees them, (they’re going to be) ridiculous. Just explosive. This kid can run and jump.
“But, to me, when you have an explosive player like that — I like when they give him a runway. Give him some distance.”
Jeremiah said he would have liked to see more of that from Paye, who often played a traditional defensive end role with his hand on the ground. The Providence, Rhode Island, native started 20 games for the Wolverines over three seasons, including 12 games as a junior, but was slowed by injury in 2020.
“I mean, kick him out there on a wide-9 and let him that runway where he can generate all that speed and power and collapse the pocket,” Jeremiah said. “You see some of those things. You see him beat up tight ends. But the way they kind of play, it’s like they’re almost asked to play run-to-pass, as some of these teams do. Instead of pinning your ears back and trying to get up field, he’s trying to play off blocks.”
Last spring, ahead of the 2020 NFL Draft, Jeremiah questioned the utilization of edge rusher Josh Uche in Michigan’s blowout loss to Ohio State in 2019. He wondered aloud why Uche — taken in the second round by the New England Patriots — didn’t play more snaps.
Related: LB Cam McGrone among Mel Kiper’s ‘underrated’ draft prospects
As for Paye, he wants to see him more in an edge-rushing role at the NFL level.
“I think this kid is going to be a better pro than he was in college when somebody cuts him loose,” Jeremiah said. “I’m excited to watch him.”
MORE: Teams are “split” on Michigan offensive tackle Jalen Mayfield, projected to go to the Pittsburgh Steelers at No. 24, Jeremiah said. “His tape is a little bit up and down, but he’s got a lot of athletic ability and just needs to be a little bit more consistent,” he said. “But there’s a lot to work with.”
… Wide receiver Nico Collins, who played in the Senior Bowl after opting out of the 2020 season, could be a fourth-round pick in another deep receiver class this year, Jeremiah said.
“For a big guy, he’s got good route tempo. He’s got a really good feel,” he said. “But to me, there’s a little bit of a stiffness that’s the concern there. That’s one thing to keep an eye on. I just wanted to see more of him. They had so many different guys they were getting the ball to — I wanted to see more of Nico Collins, and I just didn’t get a chance to see it this year.”
Read more on Michigan football:
Michigan AD willing to be patient with Jim Harbaugh, but ‘we need to win’
U-M plans to have fans at football games this fall
Michigan’s secondary could benefit from change in defensive scheme
‘Viper’ position could fade away in new U-M defense
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