Michigan football: Potential landing spots for Kwity Paye in 2021 NFL Draft
By John Buhler
NFC East. 4. player. Scouting Report. (No. 10). Dallas Cowboys. 123. Pick Analysis
Maybe the third time’s the charm for Dan Quinn along the defensive line?
Simply put, the Dallas Cowboys need to become more dynamic defensively if they want to have any shot of contending in the NFC East. After a year of Mike Nolan’s outdated scheme not working out, Dallas has hired former Atlanta Falcons head coach Dan Quinn to coordinate that side of the football. He runs a Cover 3 base like his mentor Pete Carroll does with the Seattle Seahawks.
What killed Quinn in Atlanta was he and former general manager Thomas Dimitroff whiffing on nearly all the defensive linemen they brought in. First-round picks Vic Beasley and Takkarist McKinley washed out, as the Pittsburgh Steelers made better picks with Bud Dupree and T.J. Watt in those drafts. Quinn also went with his former Florida guy Dante Fowler Jr. over Leonard Floyd.
With Paye, he is not going to bust like former Michigan standout Taco Charlton did in Dallas. He could be a key piece to helping this entitled Cowboys defense get back to playing some serious ball. No. 10 feels like a decent spot for the Cowboys to pick him. If he can be a menace in the trenches like he was in the Big Ten the last two years, Dallas may not be rebuilding after all.
AFC West. (No. 17). player. 28. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Las Vegas Raiders. 3
Silver and Black strike gold with an improved defensive front
We have to believe the Las Vegas Raiders are close to getting back into the playoffs. There were moments in the last two years where the Silver and Black gave off the vibes of a playoff team. However, they faded down the stretch to watch January football at home like the rest of us. One area this team needs to improve on is in its defensive front-seven. Paye could help them out here.
Las Vegas has two strong pass rushers in Maxx Crosby and Clelin Ferrell. While we have seen general manager Mike Mayock make several good selections in the last two NFL Drafts, his defense has not been able to generate the pressure it should to help out its inconsistent secondary. By looking at Paye with the No. 17 overall pick this spring, that could change quickly.
If the Raiders want to contend in the AFC West for years to come, they need to figure out a way to disrupt the timing and rhythm of division rival quarterbacks Justin Herbert and Patrick Mahomes. Even if Paye proves to be a better run defender than a pass rusher professionally, he has the physical presence to set his teammates up for success. The Raiders would not be reaching here.