Today is the day.
The NFL Draft is upon us, where college stars across the nation get to start their NFL journeys and find their homes in the pros. Kansas State fans are among those tuning in, where they once again get to see a handful of their players get recognition at the highest level.
Well, they may have to wait a little bit until they hear their former stars' names being called—especially safety VJ Payne, who has graced many mock Drafts but mostly as a Day 3 selection. CBS Sports' latest prediction has the New England Patriots selecting Payne in the sixth round with the 198th overall pick. The Patriots went to Super Bowl LX, falling to the Seattle Seahawks. Such a dominant loss made many criticize the validity of their journey to the big game.
Payne spent four seasons with Kansas State, recording 196 total tackles, 13 pass deflections, 10.5 tackles for loss, and four interceptions. He developed from a rotational player to an established veteran, with former coach Chris Klieman lauding him as one of the most vocal men in the backfield. Payne discussed his growth over his time with the program in his NFL Combine interview.
"The maturity level at Kansas State is up there," Payne said to reporters. "We talk about the standard a lot, just holding that standard and bringing it with me here. Showing up to interviews 10 minutes ahead of time, or even earlier. And just carrying yourself with respect for others."
New England's biggest needs have been offensive linemen and edge rushers, but adding some depth at the safety position wouldn't hurt. Such a late pick allows the organization to make a low-risk, high-potential type of selection. They recently added ballhawk Kevin Byard, after the three-time Pro Bowl safety led the league in interceptions in 2025. The Patriots also still boast Christian Gonzalez at cornerback, who's been hailed as one of the league's fastest-growing shutdown corners.
Payne's Senior Bowl display attracted some outside attention, pinning him as a Day 3 pick. He has also been connected to teams such as the Miami Dolphins, Indianapolis Colts, and Carolina Panthers. Payne's versatility and length have been his biggest strengths, especially his ability to match up with tight ends. However, his run defense could improve, especially if he goes to a conference like the AFC East.
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