Where Todd McShay thinks Kwity Paye and Nico Collins will land in NFL Draft

The 2021 NFL Draft is just weeks away, and Michigan should be represented in the first round on April 29, and the rounds thereafter.

ESPN analyst Todd McShay spoke to the media today about a couple of Michigan’s prospects and how he think they will fare in the NFL, and where they’ll land in the draft.

McShay spoke about defensive end Kwity Paye, and wideout Nico Collins, who opted out of the 2020 season.

McShay has Paye has going to the Indianapolis Colts in the first round at pick No. 21, while McShay thinks Collins is in the round three, perhaps round two range.

Here’s a look at McShay’s comments from Monday.

McShay on Collins

• “I’ve always liked this guy. I did a couple Michigan games two years ago as the sideline analyst. He didn’t have great quarterback play and wasn’t always utilized properly.”
• “He can get down the field and accelerate so quickly for a receiver with his size. Collins is big and fast. He’s not a great route runner in terms of getting in and out of breaks, but as a vertical route runner, can stretch the field and put a lot of pressure on defenses.”
• “I think he belongs somewhere in that third-round range, maybe second, because you just don’t many guys that are 6-4, over 200 pounds, and can run in the low 4.4s.“
• “He accelerates quickly. That’s the difference between him and some of the other bigger receivers in this class. He gets to top speed in a hurry, and he tracks the ball vertically very well. He sees it. He knows when to turn his head, and he can adjust to it because he has really good body control.”

McShay on Paye

• “He’s either going to be the first or second edge rusher off the board.”
• “The first thing that jumped out to me when studying him was how sudden he is. He has that first step quickness.”
• I don’t know if he was always used properly, if you will. You have to get this guy up the field. The second thing that jumps out to me after the suddenness is his motor. There were no Michigan players who played harder than Kwity Paye.”
• “He’s always chasing plays down from behind and giving maximum effort, and I love that about him. I think he’ll be a better pro than he was college player. His production was solid in college, though not elite.”
• “If he’s developed properly and in the right system, he’ll have a chance to be a really good pro.”