Redskins’ Daron Payne named to PFWA All-Rookie team for 2018
Daron Payne’s solid season was rewarded by an appearance on the PFWA’s All-Rookie team. It was an accolade that the first-rounder certainly deserved.
Throughout the course of the last offseason and season, some have bemoaned the choice of Daron Payne by the Redskins. The team’s first-round pick (13th overall) was selected to help fix the team’s interior defensive line which had long lacked a nose tackle and true run-stuffing presence. Despite the doubts from critics, Payne had a great rookie season and earned praise for his performance.
Payne was named to the PFWA’s All-Rookie team for his performance in 2018. Payne was one of four defensive linemen on the squad and was on the list along with the likes of Bradley Chubb, Marcus Davenport, and Da’Shawn Hand. That’s some pretty solid company, but there is little surprise that Payne made the list.
Payne really did have a great overall season. He logged 56 tackles and started all 16 of the Redskins’ games. He did a great job as a run stopper and really helped the ‘Skins to improve in that area early in the season.
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However, most impressively, Payne notched five sacks as a rookie. This came after totaling just three sacks during his three-year collegiate career. It was always clear that Payne had the athleticism, length, and skill set needed to be a consistent pass rusher, but it finally came to fruition. And also, that put to bed one of the biggest concern that many had when the team selected him. The worry that he was only a two-down player.
Despite Payne’s solid performance, there have still been some that have berated the front office for taking Payne over Derwin James. This is fair to an extent, as James had a terrific rookie season for the Chargers and is in the running for the Defensive Rookie of the Year award. That said, it also ignores the fact that Payne had a very good season in his own right, and he gave the team something they needed and something they lacked. That was an interior presence as a well-rounded three-down lineman. Sure, James could have helped as a do-it-all safety, but the fact is that the team would have ended up with a very good player no matter which of the two they picked.
Next. Redskins interior defensive line grades 2018. dark
Payne certainly deserves this accolade and could continue to improve heading into his second year. He has a lot more upside and along with Jonathan Allen and Matt Ioannidis should form a front line that will give opposing teams nightmares for years to come.