Payne Durham is an exciting prospect headed into the NFL Draft. He’s a beast – a good blocker, a solid receiver, but his real issue is that he lacks athletic ability. Regardless, Durham looks like the best TE2 in the league right now – a low-tier TE1 who can be used in various ways. However, his value as a blocker and underneath receiver will be very valuable to many teams and he should generate interest.
Payne Durham
TE – Purdue Boilermakers
HT: 6052
WT: 255
Year: Super Redshirt Junior
High School: Peachtree Ridge (Suwanee, GA)
Rating: 3-star (0.8205)
Projected Draft Grade: Immediate TE2
Projection: 4th/5th Round
Payne Durham scouting notes
Pros:
- Has some excellent body control. Makes defenders miss from time to time.
- Decent upper body strength, holds up decently well after the catch as well as a blocker.
- Good underneath route runner. Decent through his cuts – not nimble but at least consistent and relatively crisp.
- Good hands as an underneath receiver.
- Offers some vertical ability and can stretch the seams. Red zone seems to be a good place where Durham can be used.
- Decent chip blocker.
- Strong run blocker. Get’s downhill well.
Cons:
- Average speed and limited athletic ability.
- Doesn’t accelerate well.
- Has the ability to catch the ball through contact, I want to see him secure the ball better in these situations. Struggles at times to win those battles.
- Tries to lounge a little bit too hard, and that can cost him to miss blocks in space. When he has hands on players, he’s good, locks them up with solid hand placement.
