Tag: Daron Payne

2023 NFL free agency: Ranking 7 defensive line options for Seahawks

Here are seven quality defensive line options for Seattle.

The Seahawks have a lot of work to do this offseason if they plan on winning a playoff game in the foreseeable future. After they take care of their own pending free agents – most notably quarterback Geno Smith – the first order of business should be improving their defensive line. Fortunately, the 2023 draft class is deep with defensive line talent and there are also a lot of quality free agents to consider, so they have a good shot at a serious upgrade.

Let’s begin with a relatively loaded class of free agents. Here are seven quality defensive line options for Seattle.

Will the Washington Commanders franchise tag Daron Payne?

Some expect Washington Commanders DT Daron Payne to be franchise tagged headed into 2023

The window for franchise and transition tags in the NFL opened up on Tuesday ahead of free agency, which begins next month. The franchise tag allows teams to retain one player from their team on a one-year deal while both sides figure out long-term plans.

Washington Commanders’ defensive lineman, [autotag]Daron Payne[/autotag], will likely find himself playing on the franchise tag in 2023. Payne had a massive fifth year in the league with 11.5 sacks and 18 tackles for loss, which was fifth-best in the entire NFL. Payne has been the anchor of the Commanders’ front seven alongside fellow Crimson Tide teammate Jonathan Allen. Chase Young and Montez Sweat are also set to hit free agency this summer so they’ll do everything they can to retain Payne.

Bryan Manning of CommandersWire says that the Commanders will more than likely tag Payne. Having missed hardly any games and coming off of his most productive year so far, it would be an awful time to give up on the 25-year-old defensive lineman. Manning goes on to say,

“It’s doubtful that Washington will allow Payne to hit free agency. If the Commanders apply the franchise tag and can’t agree to a long-term deal, then they could consider trading Payne for more than they’d receive next offseason, which would only be a third-round compensatory pick.”

Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow Payne and other news surrounding former Alabama players in the NFL.

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Make that one less defensive tackle for the Browns to target in free agency

One target is likely already off the board.

With defensive tackle as the team’s biggest need, this offseason fans have clamored for Washington’s Daron Payne. Payne would be a massive upgrade as one of the league’s most talented young players at the position. However, just as many thought reports are saying that the Commanders will likely place their franchise tag on Payne before he can enter free agency.

There would still be a chance the Browns could trade for a tagged Daron Payne but with the cap number coming with the tag and the likely wanted compensation it likely won’t happen. There are however many other players available that would make the defensive line better but the top player at the position may be off the market before even hitting it.

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Daron Payne expected to be on Pittsburgh Steelers radar in free agency

Daron Payne should be a priority free agent target for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2023.

Former Alabama defensive tackle was selected No. 13 overall in the 2018 draft by the Washington Commanders franchise. He has been a key member of the team’s defensive line for years and is now set to hit free agency.

Jordan Dajani of CBS Sports listed one free agent that each NFL team should target. For the Pittsburgh Steelers, Dajani believes Payne ought to be on Pittsburgh’s radar.

“Daron Payne is coming off of a career year in which he recorded 64 combined tackles, 11.5 sacks, 20 QB hits and five passes defended,” writes Dajani. “It’s difficult to stand out on a defensive line that features Jonathan Allen, Montez Sweat and Chase Young, but Payne absolutely did, and made his first Pro Bowl.

“Defensive line is a need for Pittsburgh, as it will have to make decisions on free agents Larry Ogunjobi, Tyson Alualu and Chris Wormley. The Steelers could just opt to sign a rising star whose best football is ahead of him.”

Payne will likely speak with multiple teams before making a decision. He has already been considered to be a player of interest for the Seattle Seahawks. It will be interesting to see where he ends up for the 2023 season.

Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow former Alabama players in the NFL and those that are set to hit free agency.

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DT Daron Payne may be targeted by NFC West team in free agency

Could Daron Payne make the move to the West coast in 2023 NFL free agency?

Former Alabama defensive tackle Daron Payne was selected No. 13 overall in the first round of the 2018 NFL draft by the Washington Commanders franchise.

In 2022, Payne made the Pro Bowl for the first time. As the 2023 offseason gets underway, Payne will likely test free agency where one team may stand above the rest in its pursuit of a star defensive tackle like Payne.

Pro Football Focus recently claimed the Seattle Seahawks would be a strong fit for Payne and that bringing him in through free agency would improve the team’s defense.

“Seattle showed various different alignments with their defensive front in 2022, not as beholden to head coach Pete Carroll’s typical 4-3 base as in years past, but Payne has also played in a 3-4 and 4-3 and can line up as a zero-technique all the way out to a three-technique depending on the front. Payne earned back-to-back 70.0-plus pass-rush grades over the last two seasons while his early career run defense prowess suffered, but he’s shown he can win in many different ways depending on what he’s asked to do, with 96 quarterback pressures and 16 sacks over the last two seasons.”

Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow former Alabama players in the NFL as the playoffs continue and the offseason begins.

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Aaron Donald won’t play in Pro Bowl, replaced by Daron Payne

Aaron Donald told the NFL he won’t be able to participate in the Pro Bowl and his replacement is Daron Payne.

Aaron Donald missed the final six games of the regular season for the Los Angeles Rams and he’s still not healthy enough to take the field. With the NFL Pro Bowl approaching, Donald revealed that he isn’t healthy enough to participate and he’s been replaced by Daron Payne of the Washington Commanders.

Despite playing in only 11 games this season due to a high-ankle sprain, Donald was selected to the ninth consecutive Pro Bowl to begin his career. In those 11 games, the All-Pro interior defender registered 49 combined tackles, 10 tackles for loss, five sacks, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery.

Entering this season, Donald never missed a game due to an injury in his career. Even though there were rumors that he could retire this offseason, the future Hall of Famer proclaimed that he’ll be playing in 2023.

Meanwhile, Payne deservedly got a chance to be named to the Pro Bowl after posting a career-best 11.5 sacks and 18 tackles for loss in 2022. After missing the Pro Bowl last year due to making — and winning — the Super Bowl last season, Donald will miss this year’s Pro Bowl under different circumstances.

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PFF: Seahawks should target Commanders DT Daron Payne in free agency

According to Pro Football Focus, Seattle should re-sign QB Geno Smith and then look to target Commanders defensive tackle Daron Payne when the market opens.

The Seahawks have begun filling out their roster for the 2023 season. So far, the team has signed 10 players to reserve/future contracts and extended kicker Jason Myers for another four years.

While the 2023 NFL draft is the main attraction and their best chance at putting together a real contender, first up there’s free agency – where they can find themselves proven commodities rather than rolling the dice on amateur prospects.

According to Pro Football Focus, Seattle should re-sign QB Geno Smith and then look to target Commanders defensive tackle Daron Payne when the market opens. They see him as a fit for their scheme and run defense needs.

“Seattle showed various different alignments with their defensive front in 2022, not as beholden to head coach Pete Carroll’s typical 4-3 base as in years past, but Payne has also played in a 3-4 and 4-3 and can line up as a zero-technique all the way out to a three-technique depending on the front. Payne earned back-to-back 70.0-plus pass-rush grades over the last two seasons while his early career run defense prowess suffered, but he’s shown he can win in many different ways depending on what he’s asked to do, with 96 quarterback pressures and 16 sacks over the last two seasons.”

Signing Payne wouldn’t be as exciting as drafting a stud like Georgia defensive tackle Jalen Carter at No. 5 overall. However, it would free them up to use that pick on another position of need. Their edge rotation could also use an upgrade, for one. Alabama’s Will Anderson Jr. is ranked No. 1 among edge defenders in this class and he may still be on the board at that point.

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4 top-of-the-line defensive tackles to target in free agency

Not every free agent will be a big-time signing, but here are four defensive tackles at the top of the market for the Browns to target

The Cleveland Browns have the worst defensive tackle room in the NFL. It was apparent during training camp, and it derailed their season as teams routinely gutted the Browns on the ground. And now as the offseason is underway in Cleveland, rookie Perrion Winfrey may be the only name to return to the room in 2023. This means they will have to spend some money in free agency to re-tool this room before the 2023 NFL Draft.

Not every signing will be a big name, but given the urgency in the defensive trenches for the Browns, defensive tackle may be a position they will splurge on. If they do, here are four names that sit at the top of the market for the Browns to highlight.

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Pairing Daron Payne with Myles Garrett would create nightmares for offensive lines

Daron Payen and Myles Garrett on the same defensive line is nightmare fuel for opposing offensive lines

The Cleveland Browns didn’t produce much pressure on the quarterback outside of Myles Garrett, which is one reason they are searching for a new defensive coordinator. Take that a step further and the defensive tackle room was one of the league’s best. One player doesn’t remake a whole position group but signing potential free agent defensive tackle Daron Payne would have a drastic impact on the Browns.

Lining Payne up inside next to Garrett would cause absolute havoc for opposing offensive lines. It would make it difficult to double-team either player knowing whoever isn’t double-teamed will have a much easier path to the quarterback. Payne had a monster 2022 totaling 49 pressures (PFF) with 11.5 sacks and five pass breakups from his defensive tackle spot.

Simply put Payne is a game wrecker and putting him next to another game wrecker in Myles Garrett is a no-brainer. The question is will Washington even give him a chance to test free agency and will the Browns be willing to pay him big money?

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Could Amari Cooper lure Daron Payne to Cleveland this offseason?

Could a conversation between Alabama alums bring a talented defensive tackle to Cleveland?

The Cleveland Browns defeated the Washington Commanders today by a score of 24-10. But it was what happened after the game that raises a question here. Daron Payne, defensive tackle for Washington, and Browns’ wide receiver Amari Cooper (who racked up two touchdowns on the day) did a classic jersey swap, which is nothing on the surface and may mean nothing in totality.

Two University of Alabama alums exchanging jerseys makes sense, especially two players as talented as Payne and Cooper. However, by posting about it on Instagram, one can tell that Payne has a high opinion of Cooper, who came before him in Tuscaloosa. If Payne does, in fact, carry a high opinion of Cooper, then a conversation could lure the current Commander to Cleveland.

There are a few obstacles still in the way as the Commanders could utilize the franchise tag on Payne. However, it would be nice for those two sacks he racked up today to come for the Browns instead of against them.

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