Kansas State's VJ Payne should hear name called in 2026 NFL Draft

MANHATTAN — Kansas State safety VJ Payne will likely hear his name called in next week's NFL Draft, becoming the latest member of the Wildcats' secondary to be selected. The Wildcats had two defensive backs selected in the 2025 draft, with Jacob Parrish going to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the third round, before the San Francisco 49ers took Marques Sigle in the fifth. Payne, a three-and-a-half-year starter for the Wildcats out of Georgia, has earned some pre-draft buzz due to his excellent workouts.

He finished his career with All-Big 12 honorable mention selections in each of the last two seasons. 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 doesn’t win a starting job as a rookie.