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Redskins: 5 best draft prospects to target with first round pick

By Jacob Camenker

NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 01: Da'Ron Payne #94 of the Alabama Crimson Tide celebrates with the defensive player of the game trophy after the AllState Sugar Bowl against the Clemson Tigers at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 1, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 01: Da'Ron Payne #94 of the Alabama Crimson Tide celebrates with the defensive player of the game trophy after the AllState Sugar Bowl against the Clemson Tigers at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 1, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /
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ATLANTA, GA – JANUARY 08: Da’Ron Payne #94 of the Alabama Crimson Tide reacts to a play during the second quarter against the Georgia Bulldogs in the CFP National Championship presented by AT&T at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 8, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – JANUARY 08: Da’Ron Payne #94 of the Alabama Crimson Tide reacts to a play during the second quarter against the Georgia Bulldogs in the CFP National Championship presented by AT&T at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 8, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

I’ve been riding the Payne train for quite a while now. Payne is a hyper athletic defensive tackle who would be an excellent fit in a 3-4 defensive front. He had a tremendous showing in the College Football Playoff, demonstrating elite athleticism for a player at his position. He could blow up the Combine, and he played well at the Senior Bowl.

The Redskins have been tied to Payne in the past, and WalterFootball.com’s Charlie Campbell has reported that the team loves the idea of reuniting Payne with former college teammate Jonathan Allen. For that reason, Payne should be a potential favorite for this pick.

The only question surrounding this pick will be, is Payne the best player available. As it stands, the Redskins will be hard pressed to find a player that has that type of ability and plays a huge position of need like Payne. Sure, a talented player like Minkah Fitzpatrick could fall and that could change everything, but for now, it really looks like Payne is the top option. Unless, of course, the Redskins have their eye on a different Day 2 nose tackle.

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If Payne performs well at the Combine, expect the Redskins to have even more interest in acquiring his services. He could become a very strong defender and paired with the other talent that Washington has, he could be a natural fit on Jim Tomsula’s defensive line.

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