Riggo's Rag
FanSided

Redskins: Final rankings of the team’s potential top five options

By Jacob Camenker

ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 31: Defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick #29 of the Alabama Crimson Tide intercepts a pass in the fourth quarter in the 2016 CFP semifinal at the Peach Bowl at Georgia Dome on December 31, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 31: Defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick #29 of the Alabama Crimson Tide intercepts a pass in the fourth quarter in the 2016 CFP semifinal at the Peach Bowl at Georgia Dome on December 31, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 6
Next
AUBURN, AL – NOVEMBER 25: Da’Ron Payne #94 of the Alabama Crimson Tide reacts after recovering a fumble during the first quarter against the Auburn Tigers at Jordan Hare Stadium on November 25, 2017 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
AUBURN, AL – NOVEMBER 25: Da’Ron Payne #94 of the Alabama Crimson Tide reacts after recovering a fumble during the first quarter against the Auburn Tigers at Jordan Hare Stadium on November 25, 2017 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

I’ve been a big supporter of Da’Ron Payne for most of the draft process and I think that his fit with the Redskins would be near perfect. However, he may not end up being the best option on the board, so that’s why he comes in at No. 3 on the list.

Payne is coming off a great season that saw him notch 53 tackles at Alabama, and he was a force on their run to another National Championship. Some have said that without that run, he wouldn’t be a first round talent, but that’s a misleading statement. Just because he played his best football at the end of his college career doesn’t mean that he doesn’t have the talent necessary to be a top pick.

In my final NFL Mock Draft, I have Payne landing with the Baltimore Ravens with the No. 16 pick. This is what I said about him in that analysis.

More from Commanders Draft News

"Payne is one of the better nose tackles in this draft, and some argue that he’s better that Vea. Payne has superb athletic ability and can play almost any position on a defensive front. He has a quick first step and solid size at 6-foot-2, 311 pounds. He might not have the pass rushing production one looks for in a prospect, but he still has upside in that department and could be a quality player in the NFL. He just has to develop that portion of his skill set a bit."

The Redskins are going to have interest in Payne. They need help on the defensive line, and they visited with Payne and would potentially like to pair him with Jonathan Allen. That duo would be a hyper athletic and solid combination who could provide the team with positional versatility. So, Payne could end up being one of the top options if the other guys they have above him are off the board.

Home/Commanders Draft News