2021 NFL Draft: Washington trades up for Justin Fields in NFL mock draft
By Kyle Edmond
Scouting Report. Michigan. Kwity Paye. 30. player. Pick Analysis. EDGE. 23
With two picks in the first round, the New York Jets have the opportunity to make a sizeable dent in their rebuild in just the first day of the 2021 NFL Draft. Taking Zach Wilson with the second pick, they now turn their attention to the defensive side of the ball and address their pass rush.
Signing Carl Lawson was a step in the right direction for the Jets, but there’s still a long way to go for their defense to be where it needs to in a division with the surging Bills, rising Dolphins and steady Patriots. That’s where Kwity Paye can step in and make a difference from day one.
Only playing in four games during the 2020 season, Paye didn’t get to shine the way he wanted to, but his stats from the 2019 season showed enough potential that he should still be a first-round selection. In 2019, Paye totaled 12.5 tackles for loss with 6.5 sacks.
In New York, Paye’s versatility will play a big role in his usage. The Jets are set to run a 3-4 defense, so they can either stand up Paye or have him put a hand in the dirt and move Quinnen Williams inside.
As a whole, there’s still a lot of work for the Jets to do to be competitive in the AFC East, but adding Wilson and Paye in the first round would be a big first step.