 Payne was signed by Seattle as an undrafted rookie free agent on May 2, 2007, and spent the entire regular season on the practice squad.He was signed to the active roster on January 1, 2008, during the postseason, but was inactive for both Seahawks' playoff games.In 2008, Payne made Seattle's 53-man roster on opening day after injuries depleted the Seahawks' receiving corps, sidelining Deion Branch, Bobby Engram, and Ben Obomanu.