The Indianapolis Colts are expecting a lot out of the second-year defensive end, Kwity Paye, and he believes he’s ready to deliver.
In the 2021 NFL Draft, the Indianapolis Colts used a first-round pick to select defensive end, Kwity Paye, out of Michigan. Paye became a day-one starter for Indy and had a promising rookie year that resulted in him being selected to the PFWA All-Rookie team.
He played in 15 games and recorded just four sacks, one forced fumble, 32 tackles, three for a loss, and 10 quarterback hits. While the season was promising, the Colts and Paye are expecting so much more from him in his second season.
Many people that cover the league have named Kwity Paye as a breakout-year candidate for the 2022 season, and Paye isn’t backing down from expectations. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported that Paye’s goal for the season is to get double-digit sacks.
Paye said, “I feel me getting double-digit sacks will help the team in the pass rush. Last year, I wanted to do that, but I kind of started out slowly and got the injury. I’ve put a lot of work in this offseason. I can’t wait to get out on the field and show people what I’ve been working on.”
Kwity Paye wants double-digit sacks in 2022
This isn’t just a lofty goal that Paye is putting out there, he actually believes he has made the necessary developments to accomplish it. Fowler wrote that Paye is “not as stressed” as he was as a rookie and is “thinking less and reacting more due to a better understanding of the playbook.”
On the first day of camp, Kwity Paye also revealed that he now wears glasses and contacts after struggling to see out of his left eye last year. As an edge rusher, quality vision can make all the difference in getting off the ball. Paye also said that he has trained to be more relentless this season so that he can go all out every play in his pursuit of the passer.
While these are all things Kwity Paye can personally control, he should also benefit from the increased help around him. With Yannick Ngakoue now on the other end of the line, and DeForest Buckner still in the middle, Paye should be in a good position to go and get double-digit sacks for the Colts.
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