Even if you didn’t regularly watch a lot of Alabama football in 2017, you probably became very familiar with Da’Ron Payne due to his outstanding performance in both games of the college football playoffs. Payne is a massive defensive tackle who will fit for teams as a nose tackle in a 3-4 defense, or a 1-technique in a 4-3 defense. While the Cowboys don’t have a recent history of valuing that position with premium draft picks, it stands to be reasoned that Da’Ron Payne could be a target for the Cowboys in the first round.
Height: 6015
Weight: 308
40 Time: 5.38
Da’Ron Payne’s production improved every year throughout his three year career at Alabama. He had just 13 total tackles in 2015, but he upped that to 36 in 2016, and 53 in 2017. Like most interior defensive tackles, Payne is a better run player than pass player. At Alabama he was asked to do a number of things. Sometimes his role was to penetrate and get up field, which is something the Cowboys will be looking for. Sometimes his role was to just eat space and be responsible for two gaps of running lanes.
While I like Da’Ron Payne quite a bit, I don’t have a first round grade on him. I have him as my top ranked second round defensive tackle. I have Washington’s Vita Vea as my only first round defensive tackle. I wouldn’t be upset if the Cowboys took him at 19 though, because it’s a legitimate need for the team moving forward. I have no idea if the Cowboys want to bring David Irving back or not, and to me Maleik Collins profiles better as a 3-technique defensive tackle, lining up on the outside shoulder of the guard.
What gives Payne first round consideration is the fact that he’s gargantuan in size, he’s really strong, and he’s really long. He also displays some quickness and plays with technique against the run. Those are all huge traits for a defensive tackle.
The thing stopping him from being a slam dunk first round grade is consistency. There were too many times on tape where he would play too high or get blocked up because he wasn’t quicker than the offensive lineman.
But part of what makes Payne so intriguing is something he didn’t do much of in college: I believe he’s powerful enough and also agile enough to really develop into a pass rushing threat.
For example, watch this gif of Payne showing incredible get-off. By get-off, I mean snap anticipation. I’m looking for guys who are constantly the first guy off the line at the snap. Pay attention, because in this clip it’ll come at you fast. Watch Payne jump off the line before everybody else, including some of the Clemson offensive lineman.
I also want you to notice his incredible hand placement. He puts his right hand on the center’s shoulder, creating leverage before he comes across with the left arm swim move. This is the type of effort from Payne that we saw in the college football playoffs. This is also the type of showcase that wasn’t always there throughout the entirety of the season. Either way, that get-off and pass rush move is something that will leave everyone salivating. If I can get that out of him a lot of the time, then we could be looking at a star.
Another impressive clip comes from the national championship game against Georgia. Watch Payne fire off the line, push the center into the backfield, use his strength to disengage, and then use his length to extend and make the tackle. This is another example of the type of play you saw a lot in the final two games of the year.
Now let’s go back earlier in the season to the Tennessee game. In this clip Payne gets beaten because—quite frankly—the Tennessee guard is faster off the ball than Payne is, and because, on contact, Payne stands straight up.
While I realize that guys don’t win on one hundred percent of their snaps, I do think this clip provides an example of how some of Da’Ron Payne’s tape is. There are times when he isn’t the first guy off the line, and there are also times where he stands straight up and gets driven back a little bit because he had no leverage.
Alright, now let’s have some fun. Here I am showing you his world-renowned interception against Clemson in the semifinals. Everyone loves a big man interception, but on a serious note: watch him run after the catch. That’s a 310-pound dude trucking it. You can see the type of athlete he is.
I also couldn’t resist posting this clip. Watch Payne’s awareness, knowing where the ball is, but more importantly the finishing belly flop.
We’ll round out the clip show with the grand finale. On the ensuing drive after the interception, Payne pleasured us with a big man touchdown. Yes, the rare big man interception/touchdown duo in the same game. And once again, on a serious note, check out the body control and balance to get his feet in. A lot of 300+ pound guys wouldn’t be able to control their momentum while turning all the way around to catch the ball.
In summary, I like the player a lot. I’m really not sure how this Cowboys team will value him individually or how this Cowboys team will value that position. Honestly, it’s really hard for me to see them taking him at #19. While he would step in and likely start (depending on the David Irving saga), putting Payne and Maleik Collins side by side on the interior would really boost the Cowboys defense, especially against the run. I would take him with confidence at #19, but there are other players that I like better who I’m hoping are there for the Cowboys when it’s time for them to turn in their card.
I also heard from a little birdy, that Da’Ron is known as a quiet guy. Somewhat of a gentle giant if you will. Which got me thinking, who is your favorite shy person? For me, it’s comedian Jack McBrayer from 30 rock. I look forward to your comments.
Kevin “KT” Turner is on the Ben and Skin show. You can hear him live in the DFW metroplex on 105.3 The Fan every Monday through Friday from 3-7pm. KT wants you to know that he loves you.
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