Devy Diamonds: Patrick Payton, Edge Rusher, Florida State
Welcome to Devy Diamonds: Payton was a four-star prospect out of Northwestern High School in Miami, Florida. He had ten offers before committing to Nebraska in May of 2020. While committed to Nebraska he received one more offer from West Virginia. In December of 2020 he decided to decommit from Nebraska. Two days later he committed to Florida State.
Payton redshirted his freshman season after only seeing 16 snaps on defense. During his second season he started to make an impact. Payton had 20 total pressures and three turned into sacks. However, he made his presence known against the run having 18 total run stops.
His third season came with an increase in opportunity. Payton more than doubled his total pressures from the previous year to 44. Plus, he got to the quarterback even more with seven total sacks. Again, he made an impact against the run while having 28 total run stops. The best part about this season was that majority of his tackles were solo. Payton consistently shows his strength in not needing assistance to bring down ball carriers.
Currently, Payton is on pace to have 22 total pressures. On the bright side, he is also on pace to record eight sacks and continue his dominance against the run with 26 total run stops. Unfortunately, at times Payton overshoots his opponent due to playing too quick and aggressive. This causes his miss tackle rate to rise. Payton, currently has missed close to a third of his tackles because of this style of play. There is still time to turn this around. He has the power and quickness to beat the top offensive lineman, but he needs to slow himself down from time to time.
Strengths:
- Awareness. Payton has the awareness to know when the quarterback is getting ready to throw. At times, when he is being blocked he gets his hands up to disrupt the passing lane by batting the balls down.
- Explosiveness. He possesses a great initial burst, which helps him fire off the ball and challenge offensive tackles early in plays.
- Hip movement. Payton shows fluidity in his hips, allowing him to bend around the edge efficiently. This a key trait that can separate him from other pass rushers in the class.
- High Motor. Payton consistently plays with high energy. He has the ability to make second-effort plays and pursue ball carriers across the field.
- Wingspan. He possesses a great wingspan that allows him to disengage from blockers and maintain gap control. This is an extra layer to his game and strength against the run.
- Natural Instincts. Payton has great instincts, allowing him to alternate between containment and attack mode as situations develop.
Areas of Improvement
- High Pad Level. Payton occasionally plays with a high pad level. This makes it easier for offensive lineman to neutralize him in the run game.
- Snap Timing. While explosive, his timing off the snap can sometimes be inconsistent, giving offensive lineman an early advantage.
- Power Moves. Though agile and fluid, Payton could benefit from refining his power-rush techniques to diversify his approach against blockers.
- Inconsistency. At times he loses balance and control when attempting to power through blockers. Particularly, in run defense when he is playing too aggressive.
Draft Stock: Eligible 2025
Consensus Projected Draft Capital: Day 2 Pick
Personal Projected Draft Capital: Day 2 Pick
Ideal Landing Spot: Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins need defensive help off the edge. This is seen since the departure of Christian Wilkins and the injury struggles of Jaelan Phillips. Payton’s explosive ability to rush the passer would bring much-needed pressure to the Dolphins’ defensive front. He is a natural edge rusher capable of disrupting both passing and running plays. With Wilkins gone, Payton could step in to fill the void and provide an instant impact. His ability to generate pressure from multiple alignments would complement the Dolphins’ aggressive defensive style. This could potentially give the team more opportunities to force turnovers.
Additionally, Payton’s roots in Miami add another layer of motivation. His drive to perform would be fueled by playing in front of his hometown crowd. Familiarity with the local environment could make his transition to the Dolphins smoother, potentially unlocking his full potential early in his NFL career. Having a young, ascending talent like Payton would also provide insurance in case Phillips continues to struggle with injuries. This would help the Dolphins maintain depth and consistency. His presence on the field would elevate the pass rush. The Dolphins’ defense would benefit from his high motor, athleticism, and hunger to succeed at the highest level.
Fantasy Impact
Payton is an intriguing option in IDP fantasy football formats due to his boom-or-bust nature. On his best days, Payton can take over games, racking up multiple sacks and forcing fumbles. These type of games can swing fantasy matchups in his favor. However, his consistency is a concern, as he can struggle in certain games. His quieter games come from facing multiple double teams or more experienced blockers. While Payton excels at generating pressures and creating disruption, these pressures often result in teammates, rather than Payton himself, finishing plays with sacks of tackles for loss. Unfortunately, this limits his fantasy value since pressures alone do not earn points in most IDP formats. Payton’s production can be shaky, making him a risky option to rely on week-to-week. That said, when the matchup is favorable, Payton offers significant upside, capable of delivering game-changing plays. For fantasy managers, he is best used as a high-ceiling, matchup-dependent option, rather than an every-week starter.
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