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TE Payne Durham goes in 5th round to Buccaneers

On3 imageby:Tom Dienhart•04/29/23•

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(USA Today)

It’s official: Payne Durham is a Buccaneer.

The Purdue tight end was selected in the 5th round with pick No. 171 by the Buccaneers. The last Purdue player picked by Tampa Bay was OT Kevin Pamphile in 2014.

Durham capped his Boilermaker career in 2022 by earning consensus second-team All-Big Ten honors for the Big Ten West champions, making 56 catches for 560 yards and eight TDs. He left campus having made 126 career receptions for 1,275 yards and 21 TDs.

No doubt, Durham made a good impression with NFL scouts and staffers, who coached the teams. His second grab of the game was a highlight-reel reception, as he extended over a defender to make a 16-yard catch. What do NFL teams like most about the 6-5, 255-pound Durham?

“Versatility,” said Durham. “How much I moved around at Purdue and how much different stuff I did. It kind of gave me a good feel for the game. And just my ability to kind of play a few different roles, wear a couple of different hats.”

NFL scouts saw that versatility on display at the Senior Bowl, when Durham took some snaps at fullback–had one carry for two yards–while also toiling on special teams.

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