NFL Draft 2018: How high is Da’Ron Payne’s stock?
Da’Ron Payne is one of the few first round talents from the interior of the defensive line in the 2018 NFL Draft. Find out what separates him from the rest.
Da’Ron Payne is one of the few immediate differences makers at defensive tackle in the 2018 NFL Draft class. Payne, the Alabama Crimson Tide big man, has the size and skill set to make an immediate impact. He is a 6-foot-2, 313-pound monster in the middle. He came to the Crimson Tide out of Shades Valley High School in Birmingham, Ala. He was also ranked a 247Sports composite five-star defensive tackle and the 29th-best player in the 2015 recruiting class.
Payne played three years at Alabama, serving as a starter for two and a contributor in his freshman season. Per the Alabama athletics website, Payne played in 44 games for the Tide logging 102 tackles, five tackles for loss and three sacks over his three year career. Those numbers aren’t eye popping but the NFL drafts on potential, not college production.
Strengths
The strengths for Da’Ron Payne are his size at 311 pounds and his ability to move so well at that size. Payne was clocked at 4.95 in the 40-yard dash which shows he has elite speed for a 300-plus pound defender. He benched 27 reps at 225, and was measured at 28.5 inches in the vertical jump and 107 inches in the broad jump. He was also clocked at 4.71 in the 20-yard shuttle which is impressive agility for a man of his size.
Payne has the typical Alabama defensive lineman punch and is able to one gap or two gap which makes him a fit for the 4-3 defense or 3-4 defense in the NFL. Payne isn’t seen as a “specialist” that has to be taken off the field on passing downs has he does have the speed and quickness to rush the passer. Payne is also considered a leader and captain at Alabama under Nick Saban which holds a lot of water in NFL coaching circles.
Weaknesses
Payne didn’t put up huge numbers in college which can be seen as a weakness. He can rush the passer but will he have the ability to close on the quarterback as they get more and more athletic in the pro game. Payne will have to learn more than just a bullrush in order to defeat NFL-caliber guards and centers.
Next: Complete First Round 2018 NFL Mock Draft
Draft Expectations
Payne is a sure-fire first round draft pick. The Crimson Tide have put out too many defensive tackles for the NFL not to be excited for another elite Alabama defensive lineman. Payne has such a rare combination of speed, agility, and power that NFL GM’s will take him in the first round. I have him going 17th overall to the Chargers in my mock draft and think that could be a great fit where he can start right away and play for a franchise that should make a playoff run in 2018.
Prediction: No. 17 overall to the Los Angeles Chargers