Payne returned in 2023 from an Achilles injury that sidelined him for the 2022 season, but you would never know that by watching his 2023 tape. He’s lightning quick off the snap, attacking gaps and frequently disrupting play design. He doesn’t use his hands effectively enough and might be pigeon-holed as a pure one-gapper. He’s a tremendous athlete with good bend and short-area agility to hunt and tackle. His lack of lower body mass makes him a bit of a tweener, but his electric pass-rush potential could plant him firmly as a designated pass rusher with under-the-radar upside.
