4 established alphas on the Washington Commanders roster in 2024
When you look across the NFL landscape, there are the best of the best teams in the game. Organizations like the Kansas City Chiefs, San Francisco 49ers, Detroit Lions, and Houston Texans. These teams have developed homegrown talent and turned into Super Bowl contenders. They're also widely respected and tremendously run from top to bottom.
The difference between those four teams and the rest of the league is that they have established franchise cornerstones and some of the game's best players. These are the alphas; the difference makers on the field every Sunday. Those players give you a chance to win week in and week out.
This is not to say the Washington Commanders lack those players - they don’t whatsoever. However, it is completely unknown what type of player the projected starters at quarterback, left tackle, and cornerback could become.
If the Commanders want to become a force in the NFC and have a chance at winning their first Super Bowl since 1991 - much less their first playoff game since 2005 - they must continue to develop their homegrown talent and draft selections.
Fear not, Commanders fans. This team already features quite a few alphas on the roster. If you look closely, they might be easy to see. Without further ado, here are four established alphas on Washington's squad heading into the 2024 season.
Daron Payne - Commanders DT
It wasn’t but two seasons ago that Daron Payne secured a four-year, $90 million contract to become one of the highest-paid defensive linemen in the NFL. His $22.5 million per year average was thanks to an 11.5 sack season in 2022 where he became a nightmare to block in pass protection.
However, in some cases, Payne’s current situation is similar to his fellow rushmate and Alabama teammate, Jonathan Allen. Both players weren’t on their A-game last time around considering the circumstances of a terrible coaching staff and culture.
With new coaches that take pride and discipline and defensive prowess, it wouldn’t be surprising if Payne got close to his 2022 numbers this season. This is an interior lineman who is a little bit more nimble than Allen but just as explosive. He's also quicker, offering a variety of pass-rushing moves in his arsenal.
A former first-team All-SEC selection in 2017, Payne is two years Allen's junior and still has a lot of good football ahead of him. He’s long established himself as a cornerstone piece for the Washington Commanders and should remain so under new leadership.