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Washington Redskins 2018 Team Award Predictions

By Nathan Britton

LANDOVER, MD - DECEMBER 17: Running Back Kapri Bibbs #39 of the Washington Redskins celebrates with teammates after a touchdown in the second quarter against the Arizona Cardinals at FedEx Field on December 17, 2017 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD - DECEMBER 17: Running Back Kapri Bibbs #39 of the Washington Redskins celebrates with teammates after a touchdown in the second quarter against the Arizona Cardinals at FedEx Field on December 17, 2017 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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ARLINGTON, TX – APRIL 26: A video board displays an image of Da’Ron Payne of Alabama after he was picked #13 overall by the Washington Redskins during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium on April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX – APRIL 26: A video board displays an image of Da’Ron Payne of Alabama after he was picked #13 overall by the Washington Redskins during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium on April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /

Redskins Defensive Rookie of the Year: Daron Payne

Selected in the first round, Daron Payne could be the answer to the nose tackle spot in Washington. Coming in at 6-foot-3 and 311 pounds, Payne is a force to be reckoned with on the interior of the defensive line. Putting up 27 reps on the bench at the combine and registering a sub 5.00 40-yard dash time, the Alabama product has the tools needed to clog the middle as well as terrorize opposing quarterbacks.

Payne joins former Alabama teammate Johnathan Allen and third-year lineman Matt Ioannidis on the starting line. Allen and Ioannidis, who are coming off injury-plagued seasons, showed incredibly well prior to injury in 2017. Adding Payne into the mix can only benefit Washington.

Having Payne’s power and strength to go along with Allen’s ability to stuff the run and Ioannidis’ pocket collapsing presence, the defensive line could become a strength for the Redskins, especially with the versatility Daron Payne possesses. With a slightly undersized frame for the nose spot, and a lack of snaps spent in base 3-4, we could see Payne being pushed outside, a position where he would thrive.

Having the ability to work offensive tackles and let the pass rushing specialists crash down with him, Payne could become a nightmare for opposing offensive lines. Its reasonable to expect that Washingtons defense, primarily against the run, will be exceptionally better this year, and Payne could very well be a key reason why.

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