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Redskins Training Camp Profile: NT Daron Payne

By Jacob Camenker

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) /
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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) /

Daron Payne was a first-round pick by the Washington Redskins in the 2018 NFL Draft. He should play a major role at the nose tackle position and give the team’s defense a bright future.

When the Redskins came on the clock with the No. 13 pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, many Redskins fans were clamoring for a flashy name. Potential top 10 safety Derwin James was on the board. Local Virginia Tech linebacker Tremaine Edmunds was available as well. And, of course, some called for Derrius Guice with the No. 13 pick even though he was a fringe first rounder, to begin with.

But, the Redskins knew better than to buy into the hype. They had their man picked out all along. They were targeting one of the big nose tackles in the 2018 draft. They wanted either Vita Vea or Daron Payne. When Vea went off the board at No. 12, they knew who they were getting.

Payne became the Redskins pick at 13, and he was eventually embraced by the Redskins faithful. Payne should be a good nose tackle at the very least and has the chance to develop into something even better. Especially if he can impress the team at training camp.

2017 season review

Payne had a solid college career, though his numbers don’t exactly jump off the page. In 2017, Payne was a force for the Alabama defense and recorded a career-high 53 tackles and made a massive impact on the defensive side of the ball.

During Alabama’s run in the College Football Playoff, Payne had a particularly big impact. Against Clemson, he was completely unstoppable in the middle of the defensive line and did a lot to pressure opposing quarterbacks. Additionally, in that contest, he made an absurd interception and returned it 20 yards. Then, he added a receiving touchdown on offense. That’s not something that a normal defensive lineman would be able to do.

Payne parlayed that solid finish to the season with a stellar combine and became the Redskins first-round pick. He definitely has the talent needed to make a major impact, but he has to succeed at training camp before that can be a reality.

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