3-Round 2021 NFL Mock Draft: Broncos, Bears trade up for quarterbacks

23. New York Jets (via Seattle Seahawks): Kwity Paye, EDGE, Michigan

With the second overall pick, the New York Jets added Zach Wilson from BYU as they hope to finally have a franchise quarterback to believe in. And now, they’re back on the clock with one of the two first-round picks they got from Seattle in the Jamal Adams trade.

It’s tempting to go with another offensive weapon to build around Wilson but the Jets did just add Corey Davis in free agency which gives them a potential No. 1 wide receiver. On top of that, their new head coach, Robert Saleh, is a defensive-minded coach who has a history of stockpiling defensive line talent.
In San Francisco, he had Nick Bosa, Dee Ford, and Arik Armstead on the same roster in 2020, and the year before that they also had DeForest Buckner in the mix. He also found success with Kerry Hyder when their starters began to suffer injuries.

Clearly, Saleh likes to be able to attack the quarterback in waves and that means they could go after another defensive end even though they signed Carl Lawson in free agency. With that being said, he turns to Kwity Paye at No. 23.

Paye is still improving as a pass rusher but he seems to be one of the more well-respected prospects out there. He has all the tools to be a star and joining Saleh will only help make sure he reaches his full potential.