Colts DE Kwity Paye set up as top second-year breakout candidate?

Addressing the pass rush will be the second-biggest objective for the Indianapolis Colts this offseason—behind only the quarterback position, of course.

While the Colts have a desperate need to get their pass rush back on track, there is some hope that they have a cornerstone piece in the front seven with defensive end Kwity Paye.

Following a solid but inconsistent rookie season in 2021, the Colts are counting on Paye to take a leap during his second campaign in the league. There are many who believe Paye can do so and it’s why Pro Football Focus listed him among the top second-year breakout candidates for 2022.

“After a slow start — only eight pressures the first eight weeks of the season — Paye finished with 31 pressures over the final 10 weeks. He still ran a bit hot and cold, often beating up on poor tackles, but those are the signs of growth you want to see from a rookie. Paye was always seen as a project, so for him to be making strides so quickly with his elite physical tools is encouraging.”

Paye’s flashes came in bursts during his rookie season. Either he was a menace the entire game against an opposing quarterback or he was mostly forgotten in the background.

Now, Paye will be taking on a slightly new role under defensive coordinator Gus Bradley. The new scheme includes the infusion of the LEO role, which should benefit Paye’s development as a pass rusher.

Here’s a snippet from Horseshoe Huddle’s Zach Hicks in his breakdown of the LEO position and how Paye will be used in that role:

This position is so vital because so much of the team’s pass rush production has to come from this spot. In Bradley’s typical front, the other three down linemen (typically the 1-Tech, 3-Tech, and Big End) are traditional run stuffers that will have to eat blocks and control gaps.

The LEO’s job is to rush from the wide-nine position and create havoc on pass downs. The position is set up to have one on one situations from an advantageous position throughout games.

The wide-nine is something we haven’t seen much of over the last four seasons with Matt Eberflus. Given Paye’s athletic abilities, it’s a role that should suit him well.

The Colts have a major need to address the pass rush this offseason but some of that issue can be solved if they get a true Year 2 breakout from Paye.

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