NFL Draft Profile: Payne Durham, Tight End, Purdue Boilermakers

NFL Draft profile scouting report for Purdue TE Payne Durham

Payne Durham
Purdue Boilermakers

#87
Pos: TE
Ht: 6055
Wt: 253
Hand: 0968
Arm: 3338
Wing: 8068
40: 4.87
DOB: 6/15/2000
Hometown: Suwanee, GA
High School: Peachtree Ridge
Eligibility: 2023

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One-Liner:

A well-rounded tight end with suitable blocking, sure hands, and a wide catch radius.

Evaluation:

Good length and a stout, athletic frame. In-line Y alignment along with offset H-back and sniffer roles. Also played as a nub and #3 in 3x1 sets. Excellent blocker. Kicks out linebackers in the run game, terrific on the perimeter when leading on screens. Consistent hands catcher, with significant radius. Great over the middle and in contested catch situations. Excellent elevation with the ability to high-point the ball. Can run seams and benders and make grabs in the face of defenders while taking hits. Not a very fluid or sudden athlete. Has some trouble sinking his hips and getting in-out of breaks. Not a run after the catch threat. Doesn’t have another gear or vertical element to score in the open field. Takes what’s given and presents some physicality but won’t make anyone miss in space. While he’s good at blocking second or tertiary-level defenders, pass rushers give him trouble and win easily in 1v1 scenarios. Durham won’t blow you away athletically but his physical blocking, easy pass-catching, and zone coverage recognition make him a worthy draft prospect.

Grade:

4th Round. 

Background:

Payne Durham started his athletic career in lacrosse before switching to football as a senior at Peachtree Ridge High School in Suwanee, Georgia. Shortly after converting to football, Durham was voted to be a team captain and named to the First Team all-region and all-county. Academically, the John Mackey Award semifinalist earned Academic All-Big Ten honors four times from 2019 to 2022. Durham has a degree in Selling & Sales Management and is pursuing a master’s degree in Technology Leadership & Innovation. Athletically, Durham increased his production every year with Purdue. From only nine catches, 82 yards, and four touchdowns as a freshman, Durham blossomed into a consistent weapon for the Boilermakers. In 2022, he amassed 56 receptions and eight touchdowns which led all conference Tight Ends. Durham was selected for the Second Team All-Big Ten after his senior season.