Payton is the definition of a tools-over-production edge rusher — a 6-foot-6 frame with arms that go on forever and enough twitch to flash elite bend around the arc, but a frustrating inability to consistently convert those traits into sack production. His 2025 transfer to LSU was supposed to be the breakout year, and instead he managed just one sack in 13 starts, a massive red flag that suggests his pass-rush plan and functional power remain critically underdeveloped. When he's on, the length and motor create genuine disruption — 6 batted passes and 9 QB hurries show he's in the neighborhood — but he rarely finishes at the quarterback. He's a developmental Day 3 swing with legitimate upside if a coaching staff can unlock the counter moves and play strength his frame was built for, but the floor is a guy who never gets off the practice squad.

• 💥Elite length (potentially 35-36 inch arms) that allows him to keep tackles at bay and bat down passes at an exceptional rate
• 🪵High-effort motor that shows up in backside pursuit, chasing down ball-carriers and redirecting off blocks
• 🚀Effective use of the stem phase with hesitation moves, head fakes, and shoulder fakes to set up pass-rush moves
• 🤲Rare pass-disruption instincts — gets hands in throwing lanes when he can't get to the QB (10 PBUs in 2023, 6 in 2025)
• 🏋️Frame with significant room to add functional mass without losing athletic traits

• 🚀Alarming sack production decline: just 1 sack in 13 games at LSU in 2025 despite starting every game
• 🦬Lacks the play strength and functional power to consistently win at the point of attack or convert speed to power
• 🚀Pass-rush repertoire is shallow — counters are underdeveloped, inside moves fall flat, and he struggles to finish when the initial rush is stalled
• 🦬Gets washed out in the run game by powerful tackles; high pad level and lean build make him a liability setting the edge against downhill runs