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

Kwity Paye is a five-year veteran defensive end for the Las Vegas Raiders who has established himself as a reliable mid-tier pass rusher in the league. The 27-year-old has logged 75 games and earned a B grade overall, though his 2025 campaign has dipped to a C, signaling a concerning downward trend from his B-rated 2024 season. Despite the current-year decline, Paye's body of work suggests a player with solid foundational skills rather than a collapsing veteran. Paye's strength lies in his pursuit and disruption rather than finish; he's averaging 0.38 tackles for loss per game, well above the NFL average of 0.27, indicating excellent gap discipline and diagnostic instincts. His sack production at 0.24 per game sits above the 0.19 NFL average, though it trails elite edge rushers who exceed 0.66 sacks per contest. The concern is consistency—QB hits average 0.53 per game versus a league baseline of 0.43, but the overall pressure output doesn't translate to dominant sack totals, suggesting he wins leverage without always converting opportunities into decisive impact plays. Looking forward, Paye's trajectory depends on reversing this season's C-grade slide and rekindling the form that produced a B in 2024. If his current struggles stem from scheme fit or injury rather than declining athleticism, a bounce-back year remains plausible. Monitor his role in Las Vegas's defensive scheme and whether coaching changes unlock more frequent finish opportunities.

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

The media tone on Kwity Paye pencils out to a B sentiment grade after weighing recent storylines. Coverage of his move to Las Vegas has settled into measured enthusiasm, with multiple outlets running detailed film breakdowns that frame him as a legitimate pass rusher with meaningful athletic upside who should start immediately and address a glaring defensive need — a framing that is driving sentiment meaningfully higher than his actual on-field production warrants. His 2025 season numbers (39 tackles, 4 sacks across 17 games) reflect solid above-average starter work rather than transformational edge-rush production, yet the narrative has leaned into his age-27 profile and the theory that a new defensive coordinator can unlock untapped potential from a first-round 2021 pick who hasn't yet fully capitalized on his physical tools. The Raiders' broader roster activity — cutting players like Brenden Rice and Brodric Martin while adding depth at receiver, tight end, and safety alongside Paye — gives his signing a cleaner spotlight and reinforces the perception that Las Vegas views him as a genuine anchor for a defensive rebuild, though the franchise-level sentiment has cooled slightly over the last 30 days, suggesting fans are monitoring the full construction project before fully committing. The one persistent undercurrent is fair scrutiny about why Indianapolis didn't retain him, a narrative that cuts both ways but ultimately hasn't derailed what remains one of the more positive storylines surrounding the Raiders heading into 2026.