"Payne has great upside and is unnaturally big and athletic but he's not the run stuffer he looks like he should be. He's basically a penetrating 3 tech in a NT body."
Strengths:
Explosive off the snap and regularly the first man moving. Recorded the fastest 10yd split for interior DL at the combine. Crashes in and disrupts. Strong hands and batters an OL. Flashes leverage to annihilate lineman. Athletic for an interior lineman and chases with range. Solid motor.
Weaknesses:
Generally high off the snap and can get clobbered by the double team. Lateral mobility is just adequate. Occasionally lacks awareness/instincts and dives in without control opening up lanes in his wake.
In this clip below vs Clemson, Payne gets obliterated on the goal line.
Again here in this second clip vs Alabama, Payne gets quickly driven off the line by the double.
Overall:
Payne has great upside and is unnaturally big and athletic but he's not the run stuffer he looks like he should be. He's basically a penetrating 3 tech in a NT body. With his size and explosiveness, consistent leverage and discipline should make him an all pro. His upside should make his stock soar but there's reason to be leery of NTs that enter the league lacking the ability to be stout.
NFL Comp: bigger Stephen Paea
