2021 NFL Draft: Grading every first-round pick after rookie year
By Randy Gurzi
Grading every rookie from the 2021 NFL Draft: Kwity Paye, EDGE, Indianapolis Colts
2021 Stats:
- 32 Tackles
- 4 Sacks
- 2 Fumble Recoveries
- 1 Forced Fumble
It was no secret that the Indianapolis Colts needed help at defensive end heading into the 2021 season. They still needed some this offseason as they traded for Yannick Ngakoue from the Las Vegas Raiders, who had just signed Chandler Jones to play across from Maxx Crosby.
Even with the addition of Ngakoue, their addition in the 2021 NFL Draft should remain a starter. Michigan edge rusher Kwity Paye was their choice at No. 21 and while he didn’t set the world on fire, he played well and did his job.
Paye finished his rookie season with 15 starts and had 32 tackles, four sacks, and 10 quarterback hits. He was also credited with 16 total quarterback pressures by Pro Football Reference and had only one missed tackle all season.
He graded out as a much better pass rusher than he did in the run game but the truth is, defensive ends are taken in the first round of the draft when they can get after the signal-caller. Paye has some room to grow and can definitely improve in the run game, but the 6-foot-4, 272-pounder proved to be worth the pick in his first season.
Grade: B-