This week the time has come: the 2021 NFL Draft. Over the past two months, we’ve looked extensively at each position and the most incredible talents. This week is all about the NFL Mock Draft. 

INDIANNAPOLIS COLTS – KWITY PAYE | DE/EDGE

• Age: 21
• Length: 1.93 m
• Weight: 123 kg
• Senior
• Michigan Wolverines

The Colts have only six picks in total this year, all of which are also at the end of the round. In short, the options are scarce, and every selection should actually be a direct hit for head coach Frank Reich and GM Chris Ballard.

Offensively, an extra slot receiver and OL are the main focus points. Why OL? Next season’s OL is fantastic, but of the starters, LT Sam Tevi, RG Mark Glowinski and RT Braden Smith will leave next year on a free transfer. In addition, a few backups are also going, making the flush next year very thin. So, in addition to a receiver like Rashod Bateman or Kadarius Toney, an offensive lineman like Dillon Radunz or Samuel Cosmi is an absolute possibility.

OL OR DEFENSE?

But also defensively, the Colts could use some reinforcement. S Trevon Moehring wouldn’t be a bad idea here, while on both ILB and EDGE/pass rush, the Colts could use some amplification. The best option on ILB is Jamin Davis, but on OLB / EDGE, Zaven Collins, Kwity Paye, Azeez Ojulari, Joe Tryon, and Gregory Rousseau are still available. The question is: who do we choose. We’re going for a pass rusher that the Colts really need. Kwity Paye is a Colt.

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TENNESSEE TITANS – CHRISTIAN BARMORE | DT / NT

• Age: 21
• Length: 1.96 m
• Weight: 140 kg
• Sophomore
• Alabama Crimson Tide

The Tennessee Titans start this draft with four picks in the first three rounds. Head coach Mike Vrabel and GM Jon Robinson thus have quite a few picks to strike in this draft. What do they need? First, the Titans need outside of slot receiver to support AJ Brown and Josh Reynolds, who came over from the Rams. In addition, Jonnu Smith has of course left. A weapon like Elija Moore, Kadarius Toney or Rashod Bateman wouldn’t be a bad idea. That is the most obvious option offensively.

Defensively, there are a few more holes. A nose tackle like Christian Barmore (to replace Mack Daylon) wouldn’t be a bad idea, but could also be done later in the draft. At OLB, Zaven Collins in the 3-4 system of the Titans would be a welcome addition to the new addition Bud Dupree. Finally: ILB, which now houses Rashaan Evans, Jayon Brown and David Long. Jamin Davis and Nick Bolton could complement or replace them just fine.

WR OR DEFENSE?

We let ILB go because that is where the value lies in the second round. Then we prefer Barmore over Collins because the Nose Tackle is a bit bigger than OLB. Finally, the choice: will it be a receiver or Christian Barmore? We go for the latter option. Barmore is the Titans’ new nose tackle.

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NEW YORK JETS – GREG NEWSOME II 

• CB Age: 20
• Length: 1.85 m
• Weight: 86 kg
• Junior
• Northwestern Wildcats

With the 23rd pick, the New York Jets will have the chance to choose a player for the second time in the first round. After the Jaguars, the second team of four teams (also Jaguars and Ravens) can twice decide in the first round. Who chooses GM Joe Douglas here?

In the second choice, of course, it was Zach Wilson. So QB has been filled in. The question that remains: what now? Offensively, an RB makes the most sense here. A first-round RB is a huge gamble, but Najee Harris, Travis Etienne and Javonte Williams are still available. This is the first choice in the design where RB is likely to really be considered.

RB OR DEFENSE?

Because it is clear that the defense needs help. An extra EDGE rusher to support Carl Lawson and Jabari Zuniga wouldn’t be destructive. With Azeez Ojulari, another first-round EDGE rusher is available. Jamin Davis backing up CJ Mosley and Jarrad Davis could be okay, especially since Jarrad Davis will be a free agent next year. Finally, the secondary, where especially the corner ridges, could use some help. The # 1 CB right now is … Justin Hardee. Exactly. Greg Newsome II would then be the logical reinforcement.

But who do we choose? As much as we’d like to give weapons to Zach Wilson, RB is dropped due to the significant needs on the defensive side of the ball. An RB can also be drafted in the second or third round. For us, it’s between Azeez Ojulari and Greg Newsome II, and due to the lack of quality in the CB position with the Jets, Greg Newsome II is our pick.

Kwity Paye spent two full years and a half at Michigan. His 2020 season was short and sweet due to an injury. However, especially in the game vs Minnesota, he still showed the Paye who played so, especially in 2019. There are still some question marks when it comes to his technique and its consistency. Still, in general, Paye seems to be already further along in his development than Rousseau. The question that remains: is it better?

The biggest flaw at the moment is its positioning. Especially in the running game, he sometimes forgets to put the edge, and the pure pass rusher in him comes out. Just when this is not the intention. There were times when he showed that he could, but it still happens too often that RBs saw a lot of space on the side because Paye went in instead of checking the outside and forcing the RB in.

This, too, all has to do with consistency. There are times when Paye looks like a top-10 pick, but there are also times when you think, could he be a first-round talent? In some games, he had no influence whatsoever. He was invisible, and in some games (like vs Minnesota last season), he single-handedly demolished the opponent’s offensive line. If Paye can bring this consistency throughout the season and be technically well-coached at the NFL level, Paye is a home run from a pick in the 15-30 range.

INJURY AND COVERAGE

Two other side notes: Paye only played four games in 2020 due to an injury. It is also the only injury he has experienced so far, but it is something to be reckoned with. Furthermore, Paye, just like Rousseau, is not suitable for coverage. In a 4-3 system, he will therefore be more like DE than EDGE, but with Paye you have (unlike Rousseau) a bit more versatility in that respect. A 4-3 system can act (as a three-technique or just standing) as both DE and DT due to its functional strength.

Kwity Paye, just like Rousseau, certainly still has some steps to take and already has more match experience (at a somewhat higher college level). Also a bit more versatile and further as a player than Rousseau is. Also for Paye is that he can become an all-pro in the NFL with good coaching. However, as with Rousseau (and many of these EDGE rushers in this class). The NFL team that drafts him may also see the other side of the coin.