NFL Analytics Ranks Colts’ Kwity Paye as One of Day 1’s ‘Top Value Picks’ in the 2021 NFL Draft
According to NFL.com’s
No. 21 overall
Over the past two seasons, Paye recorded 40 QB hurries (third in Big Ten) and 59 pressures (fifth in Big Ten), according to PFF. The Michigan defender lined up
all
over the Wolverines’ front and fits like a glove with the Colts, where he’ll likely be used in several different packages and schemes right away. I measured Paye’s burst (the time it takes him to travel two yards from the line of scrimmage), and it was the second-fastest in college football this past season at 0.64 seconds. The edge rusher adds 0.74 wins to the Colts this upcoming season.
Ravens News 4/29: Draft Day and more
DRAFT. DAY.
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North Dakota State’s Dillon Radunz
Why he’d fit: The 6-4, 301-pound Radunz was a full-time starter at left tackle for two seasons. He excelled in a run-heavy offense and performed well at the Senior Bowl against competition tougher than what he faced in the Football Championship Subdivision. He’s athletic and explosive out of his stance as a run blocker, playing with a physicality that would match the Ravens’ style.
Why he might not: Like former Bison star Carson Wentz and fellow top prospect Trey Lance, Radunz will face questions about the jump in competition. He’s light for an offensive lineman and will need to bulk up to match defenders, strength-wise, at the next level.
Thirty-two players will have their NFL dreams come true on Thursday night, 259 players will be drafted over the next three days and hundreds more will also get opportunities to compete for roster spots as undrafted free agents. The 2021 NFL draft is nearly upon us, and Ohio State should be well-represented again, with as many as 14 former Buckeyes having a chance to hear their names called at some point between Thursday’s first round and Saturday’s seventh round. Justin Fields is Ohio State’s only sure-fire first-round pick this year, and most draft experts aren’t expecting any other Buckeyes to be selected in the first round. Nevertheless, I’ve continued my annual ritual of projecting who all 32 first-round picks will be this year, with hopes of predicting enough picks correctly – though mocking this year’s first round feels as hard as it’s ever been due to the impact COVID-19 had on the college football season and the draft pro
PRO BOWL PROBABILITY: 28%
The modern-day NFL cornerback must have ideal athletic traits to mirror in coverage, enough length to match up against the league s bigger receivers and disrupt passing lanes, and tape that shows the player can put it all together. Stokes fits each part of that description. At 6-foot and 194-pounds, with 32 and 3/4-inch arms, Stokes ran a 4.29 40 at Georgia’s pro day, fast enough to be ranked as the second-fastest time among the 265 scouting combine invitees from this year’s class, behind only Auburn receiver Anthony Schwartz (4.25 seconds).
While size and speed are some of the traits that often make for a successful cornerback, the ability to make plays on the football is a desirable skill set no matter the defensive system. Stokes finished his junior season with a team-high four interceptions, including two returned for a touchdown. Out of all of the corners in this year’s class, Stokes has the highest probability of making a Pro Bowl within his f