Commanders showing interest in freakishly athletic defensive tackle
The Commanders could look to add more defensive line depth as Daron Payne enters a contract year.
Could the Washington Commanders use the 2026 NFL Draft to begin preparing for life after defensive tackle Daron Payne? Payne is entering the final year of his contract in 2026. The 2018 first-round pick is usually at his best when playing on an expiring contract.
The Commanders all but ruled out an extension for Payne this offseason, noting that left tackle Laremy Tunsil was the only extension that was a priority at the time. Since then, Tunsil has signed a record extension, while guard Nick Allegretti and safety Jeremy Reaves each signed one-year extensions. Washington holds the No.
7 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft and could look to add a defensive tackle. While there is no tackle likely to be drafted inside the top 10, the Commanders could trade down and acquire more picks or address the position with a later pick. While Washington has been linked to numerous players throughout the pre-draft process, we haven't heard them speaking with many interior defenders.
However, according to Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic, the Commanders r ecently met with Louisville defensive tackle Rene Konga. Specifically, Konga met with Washington's defensive line coaches, Eric Henderson and Darryl Tapp. Who is Konga?