Patrick Payton, EDGE, LSU
Size:
Height: 6’5” (v) | Weight: 256 lbs (v)
Accomplishments:
ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year (2022)
“Patrick Payton is an uber-athletic, explosive, and well-framed edge rusher with an immense performance ceiling should the required nuances of his game improve."
Strengths:
Looks the part
Length (13.5 TFLs in 2023)
Athleticism
Immense ceiling
Batted passes at line of scrimmage
Concerns:
Comfortability in three-point stance
Utilization of length
Motor
Ability to win to the inside
Film Analysis:
Patrick Payton is an uber-athletic, explosive, and well-framed edge rusher with an immense performance ceiling should the required nuances of his game improve. He’s aligned primarily as a 5-tech (outside shoulder of the OT) inside the Florida State defense.
Against the run, Payton is an advanced defender who can slither or push his way into the backfield. Will not attempt to overpower opponents at contact, rather, Payton will engage, peek, disengage, and pursue to the ball-carrier. Payton utilizes his range extremely well against the run, chasing down ball-carriers as the backside defender. Can swim around tackles into the backfield and is a sure tackler in one-on-one situations. Payton also has the acceleration to chase in the fringe areas at his size.
As a pass rusher, Payton’s ceiling is through the roof. However, more consistency is warranted. Has the size, length, and flexibility to completely overwhelm opponents. Utilizes a long-arm (Wake Forest), spin (Clemson), and bull rush (Louisville), showcasing a diverse pass-rush repertoire and the willingness to mix up looks. Payton has the unique ability to win as both an athlete with speed and as a technical pass rusher. If unable to get to the pocket, Payton showcases fantastic instincts to get his hands in throwing lanes or shut down potential escape routes for running QBs.
There are multiple areas of improvement needed from Payton, however. I would like to see a higher usage rate when it comes to utilizing his length both in the run and as a pass rusher. Payton has the size/length/power necessary to shock offensive linemen in the run game, dominating the fringe areas. Although Payton has many instances of high-effort plays (which showcases his ceiling), his motor is also a question, on occasion. He will stop his feet if beaten to his spot as a pass rusher, instead of working through contact, hand fighting, and pursuing the pocket until the whistle. Refining his game when attacking the inside shoulder of tackles will also heighten Payton’s ceiling. Experienced tackles will get out in their pass set quickly to neutralize Payton’s willingness to run the arc. An increased willingness to work inside (and with power) will force opponents to pick their poison. He can occasionally play with a high pad level, exposing a large surface area to target.
If everything comes together, Payton touts one of the higher performance ceilings of any defender in his draft class. He looks the part at 6-foot-5, has the length to dominate on early downs, and has the bend/explosiveness to evolve into a double-digit sack type of NFL edge rusher. However, finding a happy median in his play and the ability to maintain a high level of effort will remain questions toward finalizing his prospect profile.
Prospect Projection: Day 2 — Winning Starter
Written by: Ryan Fowler