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3 landing spots for Commanders’ Daron Payne before trade deadline

By Jerry Trotta

LANDOVER, MD - OCTOBER 06: Daron Payne #94 of the Washington Redskins walks off the field after the game against the New England Patriots at FedExField on October 6, 2019 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD - OCTOBER 06: Daron Payne #94 of the Washington Redskins walks off the field after the game against the New England Patriots at FedExField on October 6, 2019 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
(Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /

2. Cincinnati Bengals

The Bengals endured a slow start to the season — perhaps a Super Bowl hangover of sorts — but Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase and company are rounding into form on offense, meaning they’re finally catching up to the defense.

While Cincinnati’s defense has looked the part to start 2022, top defensive tackle D.J. Reader is on injured reserve with an MCL injury. Reader could return sometime in the next couple weeks, but the Bengals’ pass rush has struggled without him, averaging the seventh-fewest sacks per game on the season.

Payne’s 3.5 sacks would be the Bengals’ team-high right now. If the Bengals are able to pair Payne with a healthy Reader, Trey Hendrickson, who’s been slowed by injuries and only has 3.5 sacks in seven games after notching 14.0 last season, and the underrated Sam Hubbard, they’d suddenly flaunt a vaunted defensive line.

In a playoffs that will feature Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen, and potentially Justin Herbert and Lamar Jackson, Cincinnati’s pass rush needs to improve. Payne would fill that bill and then some, as he’s already compiled 3.5 sacks, 21 pressures, five tackles for loss, 10 quarterback hits and three passes defended.

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