Washington is committing to Daron Payne for the 2022 season. The team has exercised the fifth-year option on the defensive tackle, reports Nicki Jhabvala of the Washington Post (via Twitter). The option is valued at $8.529MM.
The former 13th-overall pick started all 16 games and earned All-Rookie Team honors in 2018, but he had an up-and-down sophomore campaign in 2019, starting only nine of his 15 contests. He rebounded this past year, starting all 16 games and finishing with 54 tackles, three sacks, and three forced fumbles. Payne was also a standout during Washington’s playoff loss to the Buccaneers, finishing with a pair of sacks and a forced fumble.
In total, the 23-year-old (24 in May) has collected 166 tackles, 10 sacks, and 20 QB hits in 47 career game (41 starts).
Washington has been busy adding to their defensive line in recent years; they’ve used a first-round pick on a defensive lineman in each of the past four drafts. Payne will start alongside 2017 first-round pick Jonathan Allen, with the likes of Matt Ioannidis and Tim Settle competing for backup reps.
Bring back the Payne
Solid up the middle is true in almost any sport.
Early morning spots talk has Chris Cooley doing a deep dive into film breakdown. Payne is consistently an above average score who has stepped up his game with the talent around him. I think he has benefited greatly from Del Rio as D-Cord.
Was their best defensive player against the Bucs in the playoffs last year. Top notch.