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VJ Payne 2026 NFL Draft Profile | S from Kansas State
Scouting Report
VJ Payne is one of the more intriguing safety prospects in the 2026 class combining rare size at 6-3 and 210 pounds with legitimate speed having been clocked at 23.37 miles per hour in practice the fastest time on the Kansas State roster. A 3-star recruit who became the first Wildcat true freshman to start a season opener since 2006 and the first on defense since at least 1988 Payne has been a productive starter throughout his career accumulating 207 tackles 11.5 tackles for loss 4 interceptions and 10 pass breakups. His size allows him to match up with tight ends and bigger receivers in coverage while his speed gives him the range to play center field effectively. He is versatile enough to line up at safety or nickel thanks to his movement skills and fluid hips that keep him in phase with route runners. Payne shows good awareness and ball-tracking ability consistently putting himself in position to make plays on the ball. His PFF coverage grade of 73.2 in 2025 reflects solid coverage ability while his run defense grade of 69.2 shows he can contribute against the run. He earned Big 12 Honorable Mention in 2025 and accepted his Senior Bowl invitation. Vikings Wire projected him as a potential Day 2 pick noting that coaches like Brian Flores Dennis Allen or Steve Spagnuolo would find a role for him on day one. NFL Mocks ranked him as the third-best defensive back in the Big 12 behind DJ McKinney and Smith Snowden with a preseason 5th-round grade. However his completion percentage allowed of 65.4 and NFL QBR when targeted of 78.7 suggest he can be thrown on successfully. His run defense needs refinement and his tape from a mid-tier Big 12 program raises competition-level questions.
Strengths
Rare size at 6-3 210 with legitimate top-end speed clocked at 23.37 mph
Versatile enough to play safety or nickel with fluid hips and movement skills
Strong ball-tracking ability with 4 career interceptions and 10 pass breakups
207 career tackles showing consistent tackling production
First KSU true freshman to start opener since 2006 showing early impact
Good awareness in zone coverage reading routes and positioning to disrupt
Size to match up with tight ends and bigger receivers in coverage
Senior Bowl and NFL Combine invitee validating draft stock
Weaknesses
Completion percentage allowed of 65.4 percent suggesting receivers find success against him
NFL QBR when targeted of 78.7 indicating he can be exploited
PFF run defense grade of 69.2 showing inconsistency against the run
Competition level from mid-tier Big 12 program
Two penalties in 2025 showing occasional discipline issues
Needs to improve as a physical tackler to match his frame
College Stats
Career: 207 tackles 11.5 TFL 4 INT 10 PBU. 2025 PFF: 73.2 coverage 69.2 run defense