Overview
Position: Defensive tackle
Height: 6’2″
Weight: 311 lbs
School: Alabama Crimson Tide
Combine Performance Data
40-yard dash: 4.95 seconds
Bench press: 27 reps
Da’Ron Payne 2018 NFL Draft Profile
Following a stellar high school career at Shades Valley High School in Birmingham, Al., defensive tackle Da’Ron Payne became a coveted commodity. He was invited to the 2015 Under Armour All-American Game following his senior season. As Rivals.com’s number one prospect in the state of Alabama, Payne declined outside offers to stay near home to play for the Crimson Tide.
After a gradually increased role as his freshman season progressed on the 2015 National Championship team, Payne became a full-time starter in the middle of the Tide’s defensive line as a sophomore. He racked up 3.5 tackles for loss in his second season, adding a fumble recovery that went for an athletic three-yard touchdown.
His junior season solidified his status as one of the nation’s top defensive linemen. Payne made 53 total tackles and saved his best performance for the Allstate Sugar Bowl. Against Clemson in the College Football Semifinal, with over nine minutes to play in the third quarter, Alabama led 10-6. Payne then intercepted a pass, returning the ball 21 yards to set the Crimson Tide up in Clemson territory. Four minutes later, he entered the game at the one-yard line to catch a touchdown in the front-right corner of the end zone, blowing the game open at 17-6. Alabama scored another touchdown to cruise to a 24-6 victory. Payne won defensive MVP honors for the game, and the Tide would beat Georgia a week later to win their second national championship in three years. It would be Payne’s final college game as he declared for the draft.
Strengths
- Strong at the point of attack and can routinely push offensive linemen around;
- Uses hands to disengage blockers;
- Possesses ability to chase down plays outside of the hashmarks;
- Makes plays even when he appears to be blocked out of holes;
- Has exceptional awareness as a defensive lineman and is athletic enough to make plays with the ball in his hands; isn’t just a “workout warrior;”
- Splits double-teams consistently;
- Routinely collapses the pocket and pressures the quarterback.
Weaknesses
- At times can overrun plays and open up lanes to run to;
- Will get pad level too high at times and consequently will get blown off of the ball;
- Despite ability to rush the passer, only accumulated three sacks in three seasons at Alabama;
- How much of his success was due to elite talent surrounding him?
NFL Comparison: Jarran Reed
Teams With Need At Position: New York Giants, New Orleans Saints, Dallas Cowboys, Miami Dolphins, Detroit Lions, Cincinnati Bengals
Projection: Mid-first round to early second round
Bottom Line
Payne put together a great career at Alabama, showing the nation why he was one of the top players in the entire country coming out of high school. Combining good measurables, workout stats, and game tape (along with the fact he won’t turn 21 until May 27), Payne possesses all of the attributes NFL teams look for. Even though he played nose tackle in college, his ability to split double-teams and create havoc in the backfield makes him an ideal three-technique candidate at the next level. Despite his immense talent and potential, NFL teams covet edge rushers in the first round which could cause a small fall for some of the high-end interior linemen on draft night. Whoever ends up giving him a call, though, will be getting a new attitude and force in the middle of their defense.
