Kwity Paye

Career StatsB

Year	Team	GP	Sacks	Tkl	TFL
Career		75	30.5	209	32
2025		17	4.0	39	6.5
2024		15	8.0	41	7.5
2023		16

Current Contract

Contract Value Index (CVI)

Above-replacement production at the DE salary tier earns Kwity Paye a C Contract Value Index. The 2025 season: 39 tackles, 4 sacks, 17 games—solid starter work that reflects a credible pass rusher without the statistical punch that would justify a premium contract valuation. At $16 million AAV on a three-year deal, Paye lands squarely in the reliable-contributor range for his position, a tier where the margin between fair value and overpay is thin; defensive ends producing at his level are neither scarce nor transformational, and his salary aligns with that reality. At 27 years old and five seasons into his career, he occupies the sweet spot for a veteran edge rusher—experienced enough to contribute immediately but young enough that upside narratives still carry weight, though the fact that Indianapolis passed on retaining him introduces fair skepticism about his ceiling. The media narrative entering 2026 has tilted optimistic, framing him as a high-floor contributor whose physical tools and motor could unlock additional production in Las Vegas's defensive scheme, a storyline that—while grounded in legitimate film study—slightly outpaces his actual on-field production track record. The CVI grade reflects neither a steal nor an anchor; it's a contract that works for a team in evaluation mode if Paye delivers consistent starter reps, but offers little margin for statistical decline or scheme misfit.

Contracts in the Same Value Band

Other same-position deals the Contract Value Index also places in the C band — a quick read on where Kwity's contract sits relative to comparable money.

Performance Analysis

On tape and on the stat sheet, Kwity Paye earns a B performance grade among defensive end peers. The 27-year-old five-year veteran logged 39 tackles and 4 sacks across all 17 games in the 2025 season—a workload that underscores his durability and his role as a consistent snap-count contributor, though the sack total places him in the above-average-starter tier rather than the elite pass-rusher conversation. His tackle volume represents his strongest production avenue, indicating he's consistently in the mix on run defense and providing consistent pressure, but the 4-sack output across a full season reveals the ceiling question that has shadowed his career: a first-round 2021 pick with legitimate physical tools who has yet to translate those assets into statistical dominance at the position. The Raiders' reported confidence in Paye and the media narrative framing this as a potential breakout opportunity on a new roster suggest internal optimism that a fresh defensive scheme or coordinator could unlock more explosive edge production—a logical theory given his age and experience profile, though his 30.5 career sacks over five seasons establish a floor of reliability without guaranteeing a leap. Heading into 2026, Paye projects as a high-floor, moderate-ceiling edge rusher whose value will be defined by whether he can finally post a statistically dominant season to match the athleticism evaluators consistently praise.

How Kwity Compares at the Position

Kwity Paye ranks 29th of 147 graded defensive ends by performance. That slots Kwity between Will Mcdonald Iv (B) just ahead and Denico Autry (B) just behind.

Fan Sentiment

Las Vegas Raiders' signing of Kwity Paye draws mixed early reactions. The move is generating significant media attention across 5 media sources. Kwity projects as a solid contributor in this role. Fan discussion centers on the contract terms of this deal. The remains to be seen for Las Vegas Raiders as the season approaches.