Have the Philadelphia Eagles come full circle on Kwity Paye?

Even before this year’s NFL Draft process really kicked into gear, Kwity Paye was a popular name being connected to the Philadelphia Eagles. A bigger-than-average edge rusher hailing from Brandon Graham’s alma mater (Michigan), Paye just had that Howie Roseman “feel” to him.

After a disastrous 4-11-1 season, the narrative surrounding Paye and the Eagles changed quite dramatically. Initially set to pick atop the first round at sixth overall, the Eagles were expected to be in the market for one of the premier pass-catchers (Ja’Marr Chase, Kyle Pitts), or one of the top-ranked quarterbacks (Justin Fields, Mac Jones).

Even if Roseman and the Eagles absolutely loved Paye and what he could offer at the professional level, the odds of him being the pick at 6 were essentially zero.

And then the Eagles traded back, throwing everyone’s predictions and projections into a frenzy.

More from Section 215

Moving down six spots to 12 by way of an overaggressive Miami Dolphins front office, the Eagles gained themselves some future draft capital, but also ruled themselves out of the Ja’Marr Chase/Kyle Pitts/quarterback conversation. There’s always a chance someone slips come draft night, but for the most part, the Eagles are operating with a new-look draft board these days.

And that’s where Kwity Paye re-enters the conversation.

While most of us have been focused on the likes of Jaycee Horn, DeVonta Smith, Jaylen Waddle, and even Rashawn Slater when it comes to the Philadelphia Eagles’ looming first-round selection, Pro Football Network’s Tony Pauline shared an interesting tidbit regarding another realistic option at 12:

"Howie Rosman and the Eagles are known to pull a surprise or two on draft day — so who could it be this year?(12:55 PM ET) I’m told the team loves Kwity Paye, the edge rusher from Michigan, and view him as a clone to another former Wolverine — Brandon Graham — the Eagles’ former first-round pick. Could they take him with the 12th overall selection? I’d say right now, it’s possible."

For what it’s worth, Pauline accurately mocked Jalen Reagor to the Eagles last offseason – a selection that seemingly blindsided a good chunk of the media.

Michigan’s Kwity Paye is a real option for the Philadelphia Eagles at 12.

Hearing that the Eagles “love” Paye isn’t surprising in the slightest, he is the exact type of prospect that they typically covet. The Eagles organization has drafted a defensive lineman with 32.6% of their first-round picks since 1970, and Howie Roseman in particular has put a premium on the position group since being named general manager.

Additionally, Paye has the right type of build that Roseman typically targets. Standing in at 6-4, 277lbs, Paye is one of the bigger edge rushers in this year’s draft class. What he lacks in pass rushing moves he makes up for in run defense, an element to Brandon Graham’s game that’s made him an organizational favorite over the last decade.

It’s also worth highlighting that Paye at 12 would likely make him the first picked defensive lineman of this year’s draft, a talking point that the Eagles would surely enjoy bringing up time and time again (it’d sound something like this):

The Eagles are going to have their fair share of options come Thursday, and the reality of the situation is that any prospect, at any position, would help their football team. The Eagles have a need at EDGE moving forward just the same as they do at WR and CB.

Philadelphia Eagles: Creed Humphrey is an ideal Day 2 center. dark. Next

So don’t get too worked up if Paye does end up being the pick at 12, there’s reason to believe that he can be a solid NFL player in the right system.

Home/Philadelphia Eagles