Tag: Pheldarius Payne

Report: Texans to bring back rookie UDFA DL Pheldarius Payne

The Houston Texans are bringing back a multi-purpose defensive lineman for the remainder of training camp.

A former face is headed back to NRG Stadium.

The Houston Texans are planning to re-sign undrafted rookie defensive lineman Pheldarius Payne following Sunday’s practice.

The Houston Chronicle’s Jonathan M. Alexander was the first to report the transaction on Monday morning.

Payne was picked up following the draft and stayed with the Texans through rookie minicamp and OTAs before being waived just before the start of training camp to make room for UFL star Malik Fisher.

Payne, who starred last season at Virginia Tech, offers similar position flexibility to that of defensive lineman Denico Autry. Autry inked a two-year deal worth $20 million this offseason but will miss the first six games after being suspended by the league for violating their PED usage.

“He’s an undersized defensive tackle that is very explosive and quick,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said during OTAs. “You saw him make a lot of plays on the other side of the line of scrimmage, utilizing his explosiveness, his quickness. So, we would like to see him translate that to our scheme and what we do.”

After transferring from Nebraska, Payne impressed with the Hokies’ defensive front, totaling 10 tackles for loss, four sacks and one forced fumble.

Even if he doesn’t make the team, Payne could stockpile over to the practice squad while he learns the ins and outs of Ryans’ defense. He’ll have a chance to prove his value on Saturday when Houston takes on the New York Giants in their preseason home opener.

Texans coach DeMeco Ryans excited to work UDFA DL Pheldarius Payne

Pheldarius Payne has already caught the eyes of the Houston Texans coaching staff through one day of rookie minicamp.

When the 2024 NFL draft concluded on Saturday afternoon last month,  Pheldarius Payne had options.

Plenty of teams came calling, hoping to secure the services of the 6-foot-3 defensive tackle from Virginia Tech. Add in his pass-rushing expertise and some would consider Payne as a top among undrafted free agents. 

Most view not being selected as a downfall for prospects, but it’s more so a strength in the later rounds. Players can choose where they want to sign, thus putting pressure on them to live up to the billing. 

Payne chose to join the Houston Texans. He’s already caught the eyes of the coaching staff within one practice at minicamp. 

“He’s an undersized defensive tackle that is very explosive and quick,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. “You saw him make a lot of plays on the other side of the line of scrimmage, utilizing his explosiveness, his quickness. So, we would like to see him translate that to our scheme and what we do.”

Ryans, whose defensive persona factored into Houston securing its first division title in four years, likes interior linemen with upside as pass rushers. Last season, Sheldon Rankins finished with 6.5 sacks. Maliek Collins totaled 5.5. 

Both players weighed under 320 pounds. Payne, who began his career at Lackawanna Junior College in Pennsylvania before signing with Nebraska,  weighed in the combine at 276 pounds. 

While undersized, Payne could be a potential project for Houston’s defensive line entering organized team activities (OTAs) on May 20. Last season with the Hokies, he racked up 10 tackles for losses, four sacks and one forced fumble. 

The Texans listed him as a defensive end on the minicamp depth chart, but Ryans called him a defensive tackle. Regardless of where he lines up, Payne has the potential and willingness to attack, something required to play in Ryans’ defensive front. 

“The guys are attacking and we can utilize his quickness,” Ryans said. “Hopefully, Payne can be a guy who can add to that group as well.”

Texans rookie DL Pheldarius Payne listed as ‘top’ undrafted free agent

CBS Sports is high on Houston Texans’ undrafted free agent Pheldarius Payne making an impact in the trenches come 2024.

What do James Harrison, Dick Lane, Adam Vinatieri and Kurt Warner all have in common besides being champions?

None heard their names called during the NFL draft and were forced to walk on once more as undrafted free agents. Slowly, they developed into some of the greatest players to ever grace the gridiron.

That’s what Virginia Tech defensive lineman Pheldarius Payne aspires to be with the Houston Texans entering rookie minicamp next week at NRG Stadium. The good news? One outlet believes he’ll have a chance not only to make the final 53-man roster but also see prominent playing time.

CBS Sports listed Payne as one of seven top-level undrafted free agents entering the summer. Coming in at No. 3, Payne exudes confidence and a ferocious play style that could move him up the depth chart with a promising offseason.

You can’t miss Payne the second you flip on the film for two reasons — he’s one of the smaller defensive tackles and he’s athletically charged up like an oversized linebacker. That first-step bolt is serious, and led to six sacks and 23 total pressures on a mere 162 pass-rush snaps at Virginia Tech in 2023.

And at his pro day — a hair over 6-2 and 286 pounds — Payne had a 4.86 time in the 40 and a ridiculous 1.65 10-yard split. He is the epitome of a one-gap penetrator. The Texans added a lot of high-profile pieces this offseason. But the defensive tackle spot is probably one of the weaker positions on the team, and GM Nick Caserio did not pick one in the draft. Don’t be stunned when Payne makes a name for himself early in camp and in the preseason, which should lead to some reps with the first-team defense.  — CBS Sports

Defensive tackle was considered a top need for Houston entering the draft following the departures of Maliek Collins and Sheldon Rankins. Most of Caserio’s deals with interior linemen came on one-year prove-it contracts. Veteran Denico Autry was a dominant defensive tackle with the Colts, but transitioned over to defensive end once he arrived in Tennessee.

Payne was expected to be a find on Day 3, yet somehow flew under the radar to the undrafted market. Second-year Texans coach DeMeco Ryans has a track record of getting the best version of undrafted rookies while finding a home for them in his defense.

Linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair went from being a special teams standout to one of the league’s better sub-package defenders. Last season as a full-time starter, he proved his transition could work outside the Bay Area, totaling the fifth-most stops at 163.

Currently, the Texans have Foley Fatukasi and Autry as starters. Tim Settle and former undrafted free agent Khalil Davis are second on the depth chart, meaning Payne could compete with either for a boost up the rankings.

Payne has a long way to go if he hopes to be compared to names like Harrison or Warner, but everyone has to start someplace. There’s few places hotter than Houston these days, both in weather and persona.

2024 NFL draft: Giants hosting Pheldarius Payne on a top-30 visit

The New York Giants are hosting Virginia Tech defensive lineman Pheldarius Payne on a top-30 visit ahead of the 2024 NFL draft.

With the deadline to host top-30 visits arriving on Wednesday, the New York Giants will begin to wrap up their slate with a defensive lineman.

Aaron Wilson reports that the Giants will host Virginia Tech’s Pheldarius Payne in East Rutherford on Tuesday.

The 6-foot-3, 276-pound Paye also met with the Giants via Zoom in early April.

After missing the 2022 season due to an Achilles injury, Paye returned in 2023 and appeared in 13 games, recording 31 tackles (10 solo, 10 for a loss), one forced fumble, one pass defensed, and 4.0 sacks.

Ryan Fowler of The Draft Network believes Paye is a player who should be on everyone’s draft radar.

Payne’s Pro Day was also an eye-opener for teams, as he flew in the 40-yard dash at 286 pounds, clocking in at 4.85 — a time that would have ranked second among all NFL Combine participants in his positional group. His 1.65 10-yard split, a threshold that showcases a player’s initial explosiveness off the line, also would have ranked second only to LSU’s Mekhi Wingo in Indianapolis.

Combining athleticism and the knack for making plays as a football player is something NFL evaluators drool over. While not all athletes are good football players, teams in need of a defensive presence with twitch coiled up in a nearly 300-pound frame could find Payne to their liking as the draft winds down and boards begin to thin.

Paye is expected to be a mid-to-late-round draft pick but his stock is rising.

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Former Husker declares for NFL draft

A former Nebraska Cornhusker has officially declared for the 2024 NFL draft.

A former Nebraska Cornhusker declared for the 2024 NFL draft on Monday. Pheldarius Payne is a defensive line/linebacker prospect out of Suffolk, Virginia.

Payne spent his first two seasons at Nebraska before transferring to Virginia Tech for the 2023 campaign. In 14 games as a Cornhusker, he totaled 40 tackles, 4.5 for loss and 3.0 sacks. `

In his only season as a Hokie, he appeared in 13 games, recording 31 tackles, 10 for loss and 4 sacks. The 6-foot-3, 260-pound Payne had told the media he had interest from Indiana, Duke and Marshall before deciding to return home to play for Virginia Tech.

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