3 best pairings on the Commanders’ roster in 2022

1. Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne

Not only do Allen and Payne form the best duo on Washington’s roster, they might be the best defensive tackle duo in the entire NFL.

The national media might not agree with that (surprise, surprise), but Allen officially entered the elite conversation at the position after his Pro Bowl campaign in 2021 when he logged nine sacks, 10 tackles for loss, 30 QB hits and 67 pressures. His 84.9 player grade from Pro Football Focus tied for third amongst interior defenders and his 90.9 pass rush grade finished third at the position.

If you think Allen isn’t a household name yet, then we don’t even want to think about Payne’s status amongst the national media. But Commanders fans know how essentially he is to the team’s defense. The former first-round pick plays the most snaps of all of Washington’s defensive lineman and finished second on the team with 39 run stops last season. Only Cole Holcomb had more with 43.

Despite specializing in stopping the run, Payne posted a career-high with 15 QB hits and only trailed Allen for the most pressures (47) and hurries (33). He’d need a special season to ever make the Pro Bowl given how many star DTs reside in the NFL, but Payne is a force to be reckoned with regardless.

We really hope this isn’t the last season the former Alabama teammates play together in Washington, but it’s unfortunately heading in that direction.