Taking a look at a Jets defensive line prospect
The New York Jets recently signed former Clemson defensive tackle Payton Page as an undrafted free agent. Today we break Page down in detail.
The 22-year old Page is listed at 6’4” and 300 pounds and was a third team all-ACC selection last season. He recorded 69 tackles and 6.5 tackles for loss in four years with the Tigers.
Background
Page was a four star high school recruit, who joined Clemson in 2021 after his senior season was cancelled due to the pandemic. He had four tackles in a reserve role as a true freshman.
In 2022 and 2023, he had a more regular rotational role but did not start any games as he had 24 tackles and five tackles for loss across those two seasons.
2024 saw Page named as a starter for the first time and he went on to start all 14 games as he earned all-ACC third team honors. He had a career high 36 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and the first half-sack of his career.
Page was invited to the NFL scouting combine and the Shrine Bowl and was hopeful of hearing his name called in the late rounds of the 2025 NFL draft, but he was not selected.
After Page went undrafted, the Jets signed him to an undrafted free agency deal with $201,500 guaranteed.
Let’s move onto some more in-depth analysis of what Page brings to the table as a player, based on extensive research and film study.
Measurables/Athleticism
Having been unable to play during the 2020 season due to the pandemic, Page gained weight and was surprised to learn that he was 395 pounds when he first weighed in at Clemson. From that time on, he has been dedicated to improving his diet and conditioning. By the end of his career he was closer to 300 pounds.
Page weighed in at 291 at the Senior Bowl, but he had intentionally bulked back up to 303 by the time of his pro day.
Page, who posted 27 bench press reps at his pro day, lacks length but showed good athleticism and explosiveness for his size with a 5.14 in the 40-yard dash at his pro day and above average vertical and broad jump numbers at the combine.
Usage
Page played the majority of his reps in four-man fronts as a conventional three-technique lineman at Clemson, but he also lined up as a nose tackle on a regular basis. He also had some reps as a five technique and even had a few snaps lined up outside each season.
Motor
Page has a reputation as someone with a good motor who will battle hard in the trenches and also displays hustle in pursuit.
With his first opportunity to prove he can handle a starter’s workload in 2024, Page played 50 or more snaps in five different games.
Pass rush
Page shows flashes of disruptiveness as a pass rusher. He has a good get-off and quick first step that make him a handful.
The concern is that this didn’t translate to much production as he only had half a sack in his career. As his pass rush reps increased when he became a starter, his pressure rates dropped, after having been decent in 2023.
Page can also be effective on stunts and showcase impressive strength and power as a bull rusher.
Run defense
Page is a solid run defender, whose run defense grades on analysis sites such as Pro Football Focus improved consistently each year. However, it still didn’t perhaps translate to as much statistical production as you’d like to see.
His quick first step can also be an asset in the running game, enabling him to shoot gaps and beat reach blocks.
He has the ability to hold up against double teams, but he’s not always consistently able to hold his ground in the trenches.
Technique
Page battles in the trenches using a combination of raw strength and technique as he seeks to get off blocks.
One of his biggest negatives is that he ends up on the ground too often due to pad level or narrow base issues.
He’s not someone who shows an array of pass rushing moves, but he freed himself with an aggressive arm-over move on this play.
Special teams
Page has contributed on special teams by rushing kicks and punts and also as a blocker on the placekicking unit. He had a blocked field goal in 2022.
Tackling
Page hasn’t been particularly productive as a tackler and his tackle rate isn’t great, as he missed eight tackles last season. Four of those came in one game.
Perhaps affected by his lack of length, he can have issues with finishing in space when reaching beyond his frame.
Page did not force any fumbles during his collegiate career.
Coverage
Page only dropped off the line a couple of times in his career, but he still made a few contributions against the pass with two pass breakups and a pick-six.
Instincts/Intelligence
Page is someone who can take himself out of plays by shooting the wrong gap or over pursuing, although in such instances it’s never certain whether he’s just carrying out his assignment. He does seem to be caught unaware on down blocks at times though.
He shows good vision and awareness here while battling in the trenches to record a vital pass deflection in the clutch.
Page jumped offside twice last season.
Attitude/Demeanor
Page has already showcased his determination and work ethic by reshaping his body over the past few years. He describes himself as someone who leads by example rather than being a vocal leader, although he says he can get vocal when necessary.
Page’s on-field discipline has been solid with just four penalties in his career, although he did have a personal foul for grabbing the facemask in 2024.
Injuries
Page finally made his first start in the 2024 season opener, only to then suffer a lower leg injury that knocked him out of the game. However, he returned and toughed it out, then was able to start the following week.
Other than that, Page didn’t have any injury issues as he didn’t miss any games in his college career.
Scheme Fit
As noted, Page has played a variety of roles along the defensive line, but he’s seen most of his work as a conventional 4-3 tackle and that’s the role he’ll be expected to fill if he can crack the Jets’ rotation.
Conclusions
Page received the highest salary guarantee of any Jets undrafted free agent with the exception of the International Player Pathway addition Leander Wiegand, whose status practically guarantees him a practice squad spot anyway because he won’t count towards the limit. Page can therefore be considered to have as strong of a chance as any of them of making the team and looks like a good bet for a practice squad at least.
2025 was a draft that was supposed to be historically deep in terms of defensive tackle talent, but the Jets opted not to select one. Page’s low statistical production was probably the main reason he wasn’t selected, but he might have had a better chance of being drafted in any other year. The Jets will therefore hope he can contribute like someone with a draftable grade.
It’s not impossible for a rookie defensive tackle to crack the rotation, much like Leonard Taylor did last year. Taylor probably would have mostly been inactive if Leki Fotu had been healthy though. Page will look to have a similar impact and if he can’t beat out some of the veterans ahead of him, perhaps he’ll learn enough from them to compete in 2026.