The 2021 NFL Draft takes place April 29-May 1 this year, emanating LIVE from Cleveland, Ohio. As it stands, the Tennessee Titans have one first round draft pick. General manager Jon Robinson and head coach Mike Vrabel currently hold the 22nd overall selection. Over the next few weeks, your boy “Big Natural” Stoney Keeley will be taking a look at some of the prospects who are either rumored to be tied to or who make sense for the Titans. Today, we’re lookin’ at Michigan edge rusher Kwity Paye.
The Titans added an absolute stud in Bud Dupree in free agency, but I don’t think his presence alone is enough to completely fix the Titans sack woes (sounds like a problem for MANSCAPED). This pass rush could use another veteran presence to use as a 3rd or 4th guy in the rotation, AND a young guy to develop for the future. I could absolutely see the Titans trying to add a little more teeth to their pass rush in the first round if the value isn’t there at cornerback or wide receiver. Kwity Paye is considered by many to be the best edge prospect in this draft. For that reason, I don’t think there’s any way Paye will be there for the Titans at #22. But, since I’ve seen quite a few mocks pop up in which he does slide into the 20s, I figured I’d entertain the idea. Why not?
Paye is a powerful and explosive player off the line of scrimmage. He’s got a stocky build and an NFL-ready body. It’s really his presence as an edge setter that pops when you watch his tape. I don’t think he’s the pure pass rusher that the Titans really need right now. His strongest suit is in run support, where he’s instinctual, technically sound, and possesses a strong sense of movement recognition, knowing where to clog up the run lane. He has sack production, sure – but he needs a lot of work in the pass rush. He’s not the best finisher, and his instincts aren’t nearly as refined. That said, Paye has shown a propensity for being receptive to coaching, so when you’re drafting this guy, you’re drafting him for his floor, and hoping to build to a higher ceiling.
What position does he play, though? That’s ultimately what it’s going to come down to for the Titans, and I don’t know how he fits in this defense. He seems like more of a hand-in-the-dirt defensive end (he could specifically excel in a 4-3) than he does a bendy pass rusher, which is more of what the Titans need.
Further Reading: Meet the NFL draft’s most extraordinary prospect, Kwity Paye
2021 TITANS FIRST ROUND OPTIONS
- Christian Barmore
- Rashod Bateman
- Zaven Collins
- Caleb Farley
- Jaycee Horn
- Teven Jenkins
- Elijah Moore
- Greg Newsome
- Kadarius Toney
- Jaylen Waddle
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Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network, and a Dogs Playing Poker on velvet connoisseur. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD and #BeBetter. “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Nashville, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley
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