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NFL Draft: 5 EDGE defenders capable of saving the Bengals’ pass rush

By Hunter Bittinger

LUBBOCK, TEXAS - SEPTEMBER 26: Linebacker Joseph Ossia #46 of the Texas Longhorns runs down the field after a fumble that was later overturned during overtime of the college football game against the Texas Tech Red Raiders on September 26, 2020 at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images)
LUBBOCK, TEXAS - SEPTEMBER 26: Linebacker Joseph Ossia #46 of the Texas Longhorns runs down the field after a fumble that was later overturned during overtime of the college football game against the Texas Tech Red Raiders on September 26, 2020 at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images) /
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Cincinnati Bengals
Kwity Paye. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /

Bengals EDGE targets: Kwity Paye, Michigan

Kwity Paye, a senior for Michigan, has begun a rapid ascent up draft boards as of recently. If the 6’4, 272-pound quarterback terrorizer continues his impressive climb, he could easily find himself in consideration when the Bengals are on the clock.

Pro Football Focus is certainly bullish on Paye’s NFL potential, stating that there hasn’t been a more unblockable player in all of college football this season. They’ve got him generating pressure at a rate of 19%.

He’s a mature defender with plenty of experience, something that bodes well for a Bengals defense that needs immediate impact players. Paye played in 10 games as a sophomore, 12 games as a junior, and is obviously expected to start every game in his senior campaign.

Adding to Paye’s promise is his ability to defend the run. In 2019, he had an impressive 50 tackles, with 12.5 of those being for a loss. For Lou Anarumo, being able to have confidence that Paye can stop the run on the early downs and pin his ears back on passing downs, gives him that much more flexibility in the rest of his scheme.

Paye, Hubbard, and Lawson would offer a young and exciting trio to stop the run and pressure quarterbacks for Cincinnati for the foreseeable future.