Washington Redskins: Top 5 acquisitions based on instant impact

At the time of the pick, getting Daron Payne may not have seemed like the top value for the Washington Redskins. They had been rumored to like Vita Vea better and though he was off the board, stud safety Derwin James was still available. After an initial outpouring of distaste for the Payne selection, Redskins fans have come to love the idea of selecting him. And it’s easy to see why.

Of all the Redskins offseason additions, Payne has the potential to be the most impactful. The weakest part of the Redskins team was their nose tackle position. They have struggled to fill that hole for many years, and for the past couple of years, Ziggy Hood was forced to play out of position there. But with Payne, that will all change.

Payne gives Washington a legitimate run stuffer to plug in on the inside. He’s played alongside Jonathan Allen before in college, so that duo will have instant chemistry. And while Payne didn’t have great pass rushing numbers in college, he has the immense athletic upside to make him successful in that regard in the NFL.

From day one, Payne will be a starter with the Redskins. And he has the potential to make their defense a top 10 unit. When fully healthy last season, the Redskins were teetering on the brink of an above average stop unit with an average run defense. The addition of Payne will only elevate them, as they have no glaring weaknesses on that side of the ball. In fact, the only uncertain position at the moment is the No. 2 cornerback spot.

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Payne was an excellent pick by the Redskins. He fits what they need perfectly and should become a solid starter immediately. He pushes the defense into the top ranks, and it will be great to see what he can accomplish, especially with Jim Tomsula teaching him.