NFL reporter suggests Commanders should trade Daron Payne to AFC team
One longtime NFL reporter suggests that the Commanders should move Daron Payne for draft picks.
The Washington Commanders had some big problems to address after their 5-12 season in 2025. Injuries were a major reason the season did not go well, with the Commanders having to bring in another quarterback at the end just to get by. But it wasn't just the offense, no, the defense suffered its fair share of injuries as well.
One of the Commanders' bright spots, though, was with defensive tackle Daron Payne. As members of the defensive line went down like dominoes, Payne, along with Javon Kinlaw and Jer'Zhan Newton, kept the defensive line from completely crumbling. It still wasn't pretty, but the lack of depth took its toll on their stamina.
Without rotational pieces to provide much relief, the Commanders' defensive front seven did the best they could. Now, though, FOX Sports reporter Ralph Vacchinao suggests that the Jacksonville Jaguars attempt to trade for Payne during the 2026 NFL Draft. Acquire: DT Daron Payne from the Washington Commanders Cost: 2026 third-round pick (88th), 2026 fourth-round pick (124th) Payne had 11.
5 sacks in 2022 and looked like one of the best defensive tackles in the league. Since then, on some bad Washington defenses, he’s had just 11 sacks in three seasons. But he’s only 29 and his ceiling remains high, making him worth the gamble for the Jags.