4 big names added to Steelers watchlist after Michigan, Virginia Tech Pro Days
By Tommy Jaggi
EDGE Kwity Paye
Early in March, I wrote an article on why Michigan edge defender, Kwity Paye, would be in contention for the Steelers with the 24th overall pick. Now, I can officially say that he is on their radar for this selection. While this might seem a bit early to address their edge rusher depth, Pittsburgh values the position as much as any team in the league, and Paye is a Bud Dupree clone.
The fact that the Steelers have had a meeting with Kwity Paye means that he is a player they will certainly consider selecting with the 24th overall pick – assuming he’s still on the board. While everyone seems to be pointing towards the team addressing offense in the first round, we certainly cannot rule out a defensive player – especially considering that Pittsburgh has spent their last eight first-round picks addressing that side of the football.
Paye is a thick, stout player who does not have exceptional length. However, his speed, explosion, and overall athletic traits will put him high on the Steelers radar. In addition, he is already a terrific run defender and can easily hold up at the point of attack. Alex Highsmith is coming off a quality rookie season, but the Steelers know they need to keep their pass rush elite, and Paye could help them do exactly that.