When Washington spent back-to-back first-round picks on defensive tackles Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne in 2017 and 2018, respectively, it hoped the pair would dominate offenses for years to come.
Allen was outstanding from the moment he was drafted. Payne was good through his first four seasons, but it was in 2022 when Payne took his game to another level.
Payne finished in a three-way tie for third place in the NFL with 18 tackles for loss. He also finished with a career-high 11.5 sacks from the interior, an impressive feat.
Allen contained his consistently strong play in 2022, recording 16 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks in 16 games. Both players were named to the Pro Bowl.
In addition to each player making the Pro Bowl, Allen and Payne have begun receiving respect nationally.
Jeremy Fowler of ESPN recently polled execs, coaches, scouts and players around the NFL in determining the top 10 players at every position. At defensive tackle, Payne came in at No. 8, with Allen coming in at No. 10.
Payne’s 21.5 disrupted dropbacks — a combination of sacks, interceptions, batted/tipped/defended passes — ranked second among defensive tackles behind Jones (23) and tied for seventh among all positions. His 11.5-sack season earned him a four-year, $90 million extension with the club.
“I always thought since I studied him that he has the most talent out of all of those linemen [on the Commanders],” an NFC exec said. “He has a great combination of talent and football intelligence. And he matured and came into his own last year.”
An AFC scout added: “He has everything — power, explosion, can stop run or pass. Probably a bit underrated at this point.”
On Allen:
It’s no coincidence that Allen, coming off back-to-back Pro Bowls and 16.5 sacks over the past two years, has also landed in our top 10 both times.
Appreciation for his game had been overdue leading up to last year.
“Low-key elite,” an AFC executive said. “Powerful, can take over a game in both phases. Super impactful and honestly makes life for Payne easy.”
Allen was double-teamed on pass rushes at the second-highest rate of any player in the NFL last season (67%), behind Bills defensive tackle DaQuan Jones.
Both players could make the case they should’ve been ranked higher.
Something to note from the evaluation of Allen: “Makes life for Payne easy” and “low-key elite.”
We agree. Washington has wisely invested in Allen and Payne, signing both to long-term contract extensions.