Da’Ron Payne joins Josh Jacobs as the second Alabama football alum that’s trying to earn a bigger contract with his current NFL team or a different franchise.
Payne got selected at No. 13 overall in the 2018 NFL Draft by Washington. The franchise went through three different names, but it is known as the Commanders. In his fifth season, the Birmingham (Ala.) native became an explosive interior pass rusher.
He recorded 11.5 sacks and 18 tackles for loss, both are team-highs. Payne totaled 64 tackles in the regular season, five pass breakups, and a fumble recovers for the Commanders.