Story byBALTIMORE, MD - AUGUST 7: Kwity Paye #51 of the Indianapolis Colts runs around the edge during an NFL Preseason 2025 game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on August 7, 2025 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Logan Bowles/) | Getty ImagesLuke SchultheisSun, March 1, 2026 at 8:49 PM UTC·3 min readAccording to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler and Dan Graziano, Indianapolis Colts starting defensive end Kwity Paye is included in their handful of ‘free agent sleepers’ they heard buzz about among league executives at the NFL Combine this past week in Indianapolis:Colts pass rusher Kwity Paye: He could be the fourth rusher on the market behind Trey Hendrickson, Jaelan Phillips and Odafe Oweh. He has 30.5 sacks over 74 starts. Originally a 2021 first round pick of the Colts, the 27-year-old veteran defensive end, always with impressive physical traits out of Michigan, hasn’t developed into the high-impact outside pass rusher that Indianapolis was ideally hoping for when they made him that draft class’s 21st overall pick. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementHaving made 74 starts over the past 5 seasons, with 30.5 career sacks during that same span, Paye’s calling card has actually been in run defense, where he routinely sets the edge and holds his ground out there. Even though not spectacular, Paye’s become a solid starting defensive end for the Colts—although arguably not worth his prior first round draft pedigree at this point in time. Similar to former Colts teammate, and fellow 2021 draft class member and defensive end, Dayo Odeyingbo, it’s possible that Paye could find a surprisingly robust external market once he hits free agency. As you’ll recall, Odeyingbo signed a 3-year, $48 million deal with the Chicago Bears last offseason, but also offered more projected versatility and pass rushing.