Commanders All-Pro Set For Important Year
Commanders All-Pro Set For Important Year originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
When he's playing at the top of his game, Washington Commanders star defensive tackle Daron Payne is an All-Pro caliber player.
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The former 13th overall pick in the 2018 draft out of Alabama, Payne has been a thorn in the side of opposing offenses in the league for years. He has recorded 34 sacks in his seven seasons as a professional - a respectable mark for an interior rusher.
Those numbers have come mostly with fellow first round defensive tackle Jonathan Allen, though. With Allen now in Minnesota, Payne's impact on the team will need to be even greater in 2025.
And head coach Dan Quinn believes the best is yet to come for his Pro Bowl tackle.
"I walked past him today. I said, man, you've had a remarkable off season. I felt that way through the drill work, through the skill and everyone you just see something that jumps out differently that's onto a new space," Quinn said of Payne. "I felt that from him coming into this off season and I've certainly been impressed by what I've seen so far.
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"In fact, like literally today that I said, man, I've really been impressed by the work that you've put in this offseason and I see it, you know, happening out on the field.'
Washington's defense enjoyed one of the best turnarounds in league history last season. Payne was a key part in that.
If the team wants to get to the Super Bowl this season, though, they will need to get even more from Payne. And it seems like the veteran is up to the task.
Related: Commanders Could Move On from 'Hail Mary Hero' in Trade
Related: Commanders Trade Trey Hendrickson Would Mean Major Change in NFC East Rankings
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 5, 2025, where it first appeared.
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