Salary Cap Breakdown: Redskins defensive line presents max value

The defensive line is easily the best position group for the Redskins, and they’ll be playing for cheap in 2020 and the years beyond.

Daron Payne

UFA: 2023

Payne is still playing on his rookie contract, and the Redskins will likely exercise his fifth-year option in 2021 to keep him around. However, after that, he will need to be paid, and his talent and production don’t slot him far behind Allen as far as contracts go. The next year will be big as far as learning just what a difference-maker Payne can be on this team, and he has a chance to make himself a lot of money.

Matt Ioannidis

UFA: 2023

After signing a three-year extension ahead of the 2019 season, Ioannidis stepped up to become one of the most valuable players on the Redskins defense, seeing as he led the team in sacks last season while making only $1.25 million. His salary jumps up to over $4 million this season and will climb over $6 million in 2022, but when you consider the type of numbers he’s been putting up, that’s a huge steal for Washington.