A first-round pick out of Michigan, Paye has been a day-one starter for six seasons and topped 30 career sacks before landing with the Raiders.
Kwity Paye built his name as a durable, high-motor edge rusher who never missed significant time as a starter for the Indianapolis Colts. He joined the Las Vegas Raiders in 2026 after five productive seasons in Indianapolis, bringing a track record of consistent pass-rush production.
Path to the league
Paye was a team captain at Michigan in 2020, finishing his college career with 11.5 sacks, 23.5 tackles for loss and 97 total tackles between 2017 and 2020. The Colts made him the 21st overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.
Career highlights
Paye was a day-one starter in Indianapolis and never missed extended time, totaling 209 tackles, 30.5 sacks, four forced fumbles and five fumble recoveries through the 2025 season. He posted back-to-back seasons of at least 8.0 sacks in 2023 and 2024, cementing himself as the Colts' top pass rusher.
2025 season recap
Paye started 16 of 17 games for the Colts in 2025, finishing with 39 tackles and 4.0 sacks, a step down from his previous two seasons but still a full, healthy campaign. He joined the Raiders in 2026 after five seasons in Indianapolis.
Sources
- Wikipedia: Kwity Paye
- ESPN: Kwity Paye
Statistics
2025 season and career2025 Season · Defense
17 games played▶Defense · career
| Year | Team | GP | TOT | SOLO | SACK | INT | FF | FR | PD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | colts | 17 | 39 | 15 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2024 | colts | 15 | 41 | 29 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 2023 | colts | 16 | 52 | 31 | 8.5 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| 2022 | colts | 12 | 45 | 32 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2021 | colts | 15 | 32 | 16 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
Player Profile
Background
- Position
- Defensive End
- Group
- defense
- College
- Michigan
- Hometown
- Conakry, Guinea
- Age
- 27
- Status
- active
