Commanders' Daron Payne: Top 5 Pick in NFL Re-Draft?
The Washington Commanders drafted 13th in the 2018 NFL Draft, and the organization punched above its position by taking Daron Payne from Alabama. But if the league had a do-over, Payne would be long gone.
In Bleacher Report's 2018 re-draft, the outlet has Payne plucked at No. 3 by the New York Jets, a 10-spot climb for the defensive tackle.
"It took Payne a little while to truly hit his stride, but hit it he has. In 2021, the 6'3", 320-pounder posted 61 total tackles. The following season, Payne exploded for a career-best 11.5 sacks and 64 tackles," Bleacher Report writes.
Payne's progression landed him a four-year, $90 million contract in the spring, making him one of the highest-paid defensive tackles in NFL history.
In the re-draft, though, he would line up next to fellow Alabama product Quinnen Williams, who was taken at pick No. 3 by the Jets in 2019, to create one of the deadliest defensive fronts in recent memory.
As for the re-draft of Washington's 13th overall pick, the outlet has Virginia Tech interior offensive lineman Wyatt Teller landing with the Commanders.
"The 6'4", 315-pounder out of Virginia Tech lasted until the 166th pick before the Buffalo Bills drafted him. After starting most of the back half of his rookie year, Teller was shipped to Cleveland for a pair of Day 3 picks in 2019," Bleacher Report writes.
One of the best interior linemen in the league, Teller would have been a beast on the Washington front. He's been to two Pro Bowls in the last two seasons and is a staple in Cleveland.
But as good as he's been, Washington got a big win with Payne. And I'm sure the Commanders, unlike the Jets who selected Sam Darnold, have no regrets.
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