2021 NFL Draft: Alabama, Ohio State load up two-round mock draft
2021 NFL Draft 1st round: 14th pick
14. player. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. EDGE. Michigan. 60. Kwity Paye
The Minnesota Vikings attempted to upgrade their edge position prior to the 2020 season by trading a second-round pick to the Jacksonville Jaguars for Yannick Ngakoue.
Whether they couldn’t reach a long-term deal or whatever the issue may have been, the Vikings opted to get back whatever value they could for Ngakoue and he’s now in Baltimore.
The Vikings still have a hole on the edge and really on the defensive line in general.
Kwity Paye doesn’t necessarily kill two birds with one stone, but he has the ability to play a versatile role off the edge as an outside/inside player.
In just four games in 2020, Paye had four tackles for loss and a pair of sacks but was an absolute terror off the edge in general.
He’s got a very intriguing blend of size and quickness around the edge but his greatest strength at this point is converting speed to power.
Ngakoue, who played just six games with the Vikings in 2020, finished the season as the team’s leader with five sacks. The next closest was Ifeadi Odenigbo, who had 3.5.
Adding to the pass rush is a necessity.