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Redskins vs. Cardinals: Five players to watch in the 2018 season opener

By Ian Cummings

BALTIMORE, MD - AUGUST 30: Adrian Peterson #26 of the Washington Redskins jogs off the field following a preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on August 30, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - AUGUST 30: Adrian Peterson #26 of the Washington Redskins jogs off the field following a preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on August 30, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
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LANDOVER, MD – AUGUST 16: Defensive tackle Da’Ron Payne #95 of the Washington Redskins sacks quarterback Sam Darnold #14 of the New York Jets in the first quarter of a preseason game at FedExField on August 16, 2018 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD – AUGUST 16: Defensive tackle Da’Ron Payne #95 of the Washington Redskins sacks quarterback Sam Darnold #14 of the New York Jets in the first quarter of a preseason game at FedExField on August 16, 2018 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) /

No. 2 – DT Daron Payne

The Cardinals offense isn’t the most notorious unit in the league, but there is one player who is feared for his ability to produce on his own. A catalyst for an offense. David Johnson.

Before his season-ending injury last year, Johnson was not only one of the best running backs in the nation, but one of the best offensive weapons in the nation. He’s a dynamic back who can literally do everything. Now one-hundred percent, no pre-existing injury will hold him back in 2018.

The Cardinals’ line won’t do Johnson any favors, but he’s a special breed; the kind that can negate the failures of those around him. The Redskins’ front seven will have the crucial task of neutralizing Johnson, and in that role, much of the responsibility naturally falls on the Redskins’ starting nose tackle, first-round rookie Daron Payne.

Payne built a reputation as a monster on the line in the offseason, and in preseason, his play supported those claims, as he provided value both in run defense and against the pass. Payne has been described as an immovable object against rushing attacks, and on Sunday, he’ll need to live up to that reputation.

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