Daron Payne No Longer Available for Detroit Lions

Washington Commanders will have Daron Payne on their roster in 2023.

The Detroit Lions will search extensively in the draft and in free agency this offseason for an interior defensive lineman. 

One of the National Football League's top defensive tackles is now off the market. 

The Washington Commanders announced prior to the start of the combine that they made Daron Payne the first player this year to have the franchise tag invoked. 

The price tag for the 25-year-old for the upcoming 2023 season is now projected to be $18.937 million. Payne is entering his fifth season with the organization, after being drafted in the first round of the 2018 draft. 

In 2022, Payne recorded 64 tackles, 20 quarterback, 18 tackles for loss and 11.5 sacks. 

The Commanders still have the opportunity to negotiate with Payne on a long-term contract extension. 

Detroit's defensive line benefitted from the emergence of Aidan Hutchinson, James Houston, John Cominsky and Isaiah Buggs in 2022. 

Overall, Detroit finished tied for 28th in scoring defense and 32nd in yards allowed. 

The final 10 games of the season saw the team's defense force more turnovers and pressure the quarterback at a better rate than the start of the season, which contributed to a finish of 8-2. 

Unfortunately, the issues along the interior of the defensive line became quite glaring. 

Aaron Glenn's defense ranked 30th against the run and 29th against the pass, as opponents averaged a little over five yards per carry for  the season. 

Along the interior, Detroit only recorded three-and-a-half sacks, which contributed to opponents being able to gash the defense, especially on the ground.

It has been projected in the early 2023 mock drafts that the Lions will target a defensive lineman who is versatile and strong in both the pass rush and against the run.