Patrick Payton NFL Draft 2025: Scouting Report for Florida State EDGE

HEIGHT: 6'5"

WEIGHT: 250

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POSITIVES

— Good frame with room for growth to add some weight; also has good length and appears to have long arms.

— Sets up his pass-rush moves well by stemming, using hesitation moves and head/shoulder fakes.

— Good use of hands as a pass-rusher.

— Has shown a handful of moves he can win with; swim, ghost and spin.

— Against the run, he has good block recognition to put himself in a good position to take on blocks or avoid getting too far up the field when unblocked.

— Takes on blocks with his hands and keeps his hands tight on the blocker's chest.

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NEGATIVES

— Wiry and lacks strength/sand in his pants to hold his ground against the run.

— Isn't explosive off the line of scrimmage.

— Not very physical at the point of attack as a run defender.

— Plays with sub-par pad level/leverage.

— Lacks lateral movement skills and change of direction to be effective as the looper on line games. Also, huts his ability to turn speed to power as a pass-rusher.

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NOTES

— 4-star recruit in the 2021 class, per 247Sports

— 2023: Honorable Mention All-ACC

— 2022: ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year

— No major injuries

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OVERALL

Patrick Payton is an interesting prospect as an EDGE rusher. He uses the stem phase of the rush well to help set up his pass-rush moves by stemming, using hesitation and head/shoulder fakes to help get to offensive tackles to stop their feet. On top of that, he has good use of hands to help win with a handful of moves like a swim, ghost and spin.

However, Payton isn't very explosive with his get-off which hurts his ability to win with speed around the edge. Also, he lacks the strength to win with power and doesn't have the change of direction to turn speed to power. His lateral movement skills or agility are sub-par which reduces his effectiveness on line games or stunts.

Against the run, the Florida State product has good block recognition against zone runs, putting himself in a good position to stay in his gap. Additionally, he takes on blocks with decent technique, using tight hands to land his punch on the blocker's chest. If he adds some size and strength, that should help him become a better run defender.

That being said, Payton is pretty wiry and struggles to get extension on blocks, limiting the effectiveness of his long arms. He also will struggle to hold his ground against offensive linemen, especially against down blocks, and he currently has a tough time taking on combo blocks from two tight ends.

Overall, Payton can contribute as a pass-rusher early in his NFL career. However, he lacks elite athleticism, which could cap his ceiling in that role. He has good technique to work with as a run defender and potentially become a complete player, but he'll need to spend time in the weight room to bulk up and hold up in the trenches at the next level.

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GRADE: 6.9 (Potential Role Player - 4th Round)

OVERALL RANK: 93

POSITION RANK: EDGE11

PRO COMPARISON: Dorance Armstong

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Written by B/R NFL Scout Matt Holder

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Prospect workout numbers, measurables (40-yard dash, hand size, etc.) and 2024 statistics will be added at a later date.