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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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LANDOVER, MD – SEPTEMBER 10: Ziggy Hood #90 and Stacy McGee #92 of the Washington Redskin celebrate against the Philadelphia Eagles in the second quarter at FedExField on September 10, 2017 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD – SEPTEMBER 10: Ziggy Hood #90 and Stacy McGee #92 of the Washington Redskin celebrate against the Philadelphia Eagles in the second quarter at FedExField on September 10, 2017 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) /

Payne’s main competition

In looking at the Redskins roster, there isn’t a lot of competition for Payne at nose tackle. Last year’s starter was Ziggy Hood, who was playing out of position and as a result, struggled immensely. Payne should be able to lock down the starting role as a result of this, but still, he will face battles from some other players.

Notably, fellow rookie Tim Settle may push Payne for reps at nose tackle. Settle was merely a fifth-round pick, but some viewed him as a potential second rounder. Thanks to his huge 6-foot-3, 335-pound frame, Settle might be a more natural fit at nose tackle than Payne. And if he shows more ability as an early downs player, Settle could start at nose with Payne and Jonathan Allen flanking him.

However, this proposition seems somewhat unlikely. Had the Redskins viewed Payne as a five-technique, they probably wouldn’t have spent a first-round pick on him. After all, they already had a lot of talent at the position following the 2017 season, so adding Payne to do anything but start at nose guard makes little sense.

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Elsewhere, there is a sleeper at nose guard. That would be Phil Taylor. Last offseason, it seemed like Taylor, a 2011 first-round pick, was finally ready to be an impact player again. However, he suffered a quad injury that caused him to miss the entire 2017 season, and that left the Redskins with the gaping hole they had at nose tackle. That’s part of the reason they drafted Payne and Settle. To protect against Taylor getting hurt again.

Because of Taylor’s spotty record regarding injuries, expecting him to start is a long shot. Still, he is somewhat of a forgotten man, and he shouldn’t be counted out in the position battle.

Elsewhere, Stacy McGee may see some time at nose tackle as well. But, that’s more likely to be on a rotational basis, and he seems more likely to be a rotational tackle when the team runs 4-3 concepts in the nickel.

Though there are a handful of players that may push Payne in his first season, he is still highly likely to win the starting job. He will play as the nose tackle and will probably see some action as a defensive tackle in 4-3 concepts. It’s possible that the team may play him at the five-tech a bit, but his primary position for the squad will be as a run-stuffing nose tackle.

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