Throughout the course of the last offseason and season, some have bemoaned the choice of Daron Payne by the Redskins. The team’s first-round pick (13th overall) was selected to help fix the team’s interior defensive line which had long lacked a nose tackle and true run-stuffing presence. Despite the doubts from critics, Payne had a great rookie season and earned praise for his performance.
Payne was named to the PFWA’s All-Rookie team for his performance in 2018. Payne was one of four defensive linemen on the squad and was on the list along with the likes of Bradley Chubb, Marcus Davenport, and Da’Shawn Hand.