DP #94

Daron Payne

Defensive Tackle · Alabama

A two-time national champion at Alabama and first-round pick who has become a Pro Bowl anchor of Washington's defensive line.

Daron Payne has been a fixture in the middle of Washington's defense since being drafted in the first round in 2018, developing into one of the more disruptive interior defensive linemen in the league. He signed a nine-figure extension with the team in 2023 and remains a defensive centerpiece.

★ Two-time national champion at Alabama (2015, 2017)

★ First-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft

★ Pro Bowl selection (2023)

★ Signed a four-year, $90 million extension with Washington in 2023

Path to the league

Payne played college football at Alabama, winning national championships in 2015 and 2017 and earning defensive MVP honors in both of Alabama's postseason games during the 2017 title run. Washington selected him in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft.

Career highlights

Payne set career highs in 2022 with 64 tackles, 11.5 sacks and five pass deflections, and was named a Pro Bowl replacement for Aaron Donald in January 2023, his first career Pro Bowl selection. He signed a four-year, $90 million contract extension with Washington in March 2023.

2025 season recap

Payne appeared in 15 of Washington's 16 games in 2025, missing time due to a one-game suspension and a back injury. He finished the season with 46 total tackles, 3.0 sacks, five passes defensed and a forced fumble.

Sources

Wikipedia: Daron Payne
Pro Football Reference: Daron Payne

Statistics

2025 season and career

2025 Season · Defense

15 games played

TOT

SOLO

SACK

INT

▶

Defense · career

Year	Team	GP	TOT	SOLO	SACK	INT	FF	FR	PD
2025	commanders	15	46	20	3	0	1	0	5
2024	commanders	17	42	22	4	0	0	0	2
2023	commanders	17	53	32	4	0	2	2	4
2022	commanders	17	64	32	11.5	0	0	1	5
2021	washington	17	61	35	4.5	0	0	1	0
2020	washington	16	54	27	3	1	3	1	4
2019	washington	15	56	32	2	0	0	0	2
2018	redskins	16	56	35	5	0	1	1	3