Kansas State safety VJ Payne is expected to be selected in the 2026 NFL Draft, following a strong performance in workouts. He is a three-and-a-half-year starter and received All-Big 12 honorable mention honors in his final two seasons.
Kansas State's VJ Payne should hear name called in 2026 NFL Draft
Here are some things to know about Payne and what people are saying about when he could be taken in the NFL Draft, which begins on April 23.
VJ Payne NFL Combine results
Height: 6-foot-3
Weight: 206 pounds
Arm length: 33 3/4 inches
Hand size: 9 1/2 inches
Wing span: 80 3/4 inches
40-yard dash: 4.40 seconds
10-yard split: 1.52 seconds
Vertical jump: 35 inches
Broad jump: 10 feet, 7 inches
3-cone drill: 6.94 seconds (Pro Day)
20-yard shuttle: 4.33 seconds (Pro Day)
Bench press: DNP
VJ Payne scouting report
The Athletic's Dane Brugler: "Overall, Payne has the skill set of an interchangeable defensive back, although he projects best as a boundary safety who can play physical football and overlap short zones. He profiles similarly to JL Skinner of the Denver Broncos."
The Ringer's Todd McShay: "Payne should push for playing time in sub-packages and on special teams if he doesnāt win a starting job as a rookie. Nick Emmanwori, a 2025 second-round pick, is an optimistic comparison in terms of the role Payne might play, even if Payne is lighter and didnāt test as well."
NFL.com's Lance Zierlein: "Long and rangy, Payne is a durable 42-game starter and team captain who can play inside the box, over the slot, and as a split safety. His coverage tape pops more than his run support and tackling. He reads and responds with good timing from depth and uses his length to smother the catch point in man coverage when matched inside. Payne held his own against three of the Big 12ās best receiving tight ends in 2025. He will do his job as a run defender, but lacks an enforcerās conviction and gets hung up on blocks too easily. Payneās measurables and coverage versatility improve his chances of becoming a productive pro."
VJ Payne NFL Draft rankings
The Athletic Big Board: No. 12 safety
Bleacher Report Big Board: No. 141 overall, No. 13 safety
ESPN: No. 124 overall, No. 11 safety
The Ringer: No. 88 overall, No. 8 S
VJ Payne NFL Draft projections
The Athletic: 4th-5th rounder
ESPN's Matt Miller: 87th overall pick to the Miami Dolphins in 3rd round
Wyatt D. Wheeler covers Kansas State athletics for the USA TODAY Network and Topeka Capital-Journal. You can follow him on X atĀ @WyattWheeler_, contact him at 417-371-6987 or email him at wwheeler@usatodayco.com
When is the 2026 NFL Draft scheduled to take place?
The 2026 NFL Draft is scheduled for next week.
How many defensive backs from Kansas State were selected in the 2025 NFL Draft?
Two defensive backs from Kansas State were selected in the 2025 NFL Draft.
What honors did VJ Payne receive during his college career?
VJ Payne earned All-Big 12 honorable mention selections in each of his last two seasons.
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