3 players the Commanders absolutely shouldn’t sell at trade deadline

2. Daron Payne

Daron Payne has had his name bandied about in trade rumors for more than a year, and his play in that time has been Pro Bowl caliber. If it weren’t for the challenging economics of having four stud defensive linemen drafted in four straight years, there would be no thought of trading Daron Payne.

But the reality is that Payne looks to be the most likely odd man out of the gravy train that is big money here in Washington along the defensive line. Given the likelihood of a massive free agent contract for Payne this offseason, Washington can anticipate garnering a third round compensatory pick in compensation in the 2024 NFL Draft, so it’s inconceivable they would take anything less than a third round pick in the 2023 draft if they were to trade him away in the next week.

In addition, I’d actually argue the Commanders should be actively seeking to keep and re-sign Payne, rather than letting him walk in free agency. Payne has been the more consistent and the massively more durable player than either Montez Sweat OR Chase Young. Rather than letting Payne walk, or trading him for a mid-round pick, Washington should be looking to extend him and worry about how to make the money work with Sweat and/or Young if they can manage to string together some consistency from a performance and health standpoint over the remainder of this season and (in Young’s case) next.

Unless … the team can change the calculus on their QB situation for next season by garnering a 2023 first-round pick in trade for Payne. In that case, they should make that trade.