Patrick Payton

● Tall, long frame and has worked hard to add weight (just 195 pounds as a high school junior) ● Adequate initial quickness and body bend to threaten the corner ● Strong cutting quickness to sell upfield and cross up blockers ● Reads and reacts well as an unblocked defender ● Contact balance helps him maneuver around bodies in run game ● Meshed well with new teammates at LSU ● Consistently available — played all 52 games over past four seasons

● Slender, gangly body type, with below-average (and probably near-maxed-out) mass ● Poor lower-body strength — can be moved in the run game ● Casts wide net as a tackler but poor finishing strength allows runners to escape 387 Back to table of contents -- 391 of 629 -- ● Pass-rush setup hasn’t shown much maturation ● Puts in the work but often on his terms (NFL scout: “Doesn’t respond to hard coaching. Not sure he would be a fit for us.”) ● Doesn’t offer much special teams experience, outside of field goal blocks (one career block) ● Production (tackles, tackles for loss, sacks) declined each year as a starter

A one-year starter at LSU (and three-year starter overall), Payton lined up as the field defensive end in defensive coordinator Blake Baker’s scheme. He had a breakout season in 2023 and started to receive early-round buzz from NFL scouts. However, he struggled as a junior and senior to build off that success. With his athletic twitch and body length, Payton has interesting traits that can be coached up at the next level. However, the volatile nature of his effectiveness is a red flag, especially when he’s asked to set a firm edge in the run game. Overall, Payton is a lean-framed athlete who starts fast but tends to cool off quickly. He is a developmental pass rusher who can earn a practice-squad spot if he flashes his best self in camp.