Indianapolis Colts defensive end Kwity Paye is expected to make a big impact on the defensive line quickly into his rookie season, and he’s already in the conversation for the 2021 AP Defensive Rookie of the Year.
Releasing their odds following the 2021 NFL draft, Paye is tied for the third-highest odds to win the award, according to BetMGM. Only Micah Parsons (+400) and Jaelan Phillips (+650) have higher odds.
Paye is expected to compete for the starting role at strong-side defensive end. Given that the Colts typically run over fronts (three-technique to the tight end side), Paye should be seeing plenty of 1v1 situations lining up next to All-Pro defensive tackle DeForest Buckner.
Paye will have his competition for the starting role, though. He will be competing with Tyquan Lewis and Al-Quadin Muhammad, both of which are free agents in 2022. So they will be hungry to prove they deserve a role along the defensive line.
But Paye has a skillset that not many possess on the edge for the Colts. He’s built like Justin Houston but has the elite movement skills of Ben Banogu. It was the perfect selection at No. 21 overall.
Given how aggressive the Colts are when it comes to their pass-rush lanes in their one-gap front, Paye should be let loose plenty, giving him more opportunities to impact the quarterback than he got at Michigan.
Paye is a good bet to become the Defensive Rookie of the Year. He’s likely to have a prominent role on the edge and if he can develop his pass-rush plan quickly, the league will need to be put on notice.
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