New England Patriots receive high grades in 2018 NFL Draft first round
Washington Redskins No. 13: Alabama DT, Da’Ron Payne
The NFC East is loaded in the backfield. The Dallas Cowboys have Ezekiel Elliott. The New York Giants just selected Saquon Barkley with the second pick. The reigning Super Bowl champions have Jay Ajayi and Corey Clement.
With that much talent in your backfield, you better be able to stop the run. That is a big reason why the Redskins drafted Alabama defensive tackle, Da’Ron Payne, with the 13th overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft.
Payne fills an immediate need for the Redskins. Last season they ranked last in the NFL in rushing yards allowed per game. Payne should immediately help that, as he will be paired with former Alabama teammate, Jonathan Allen.
The biggest question mark with Payne is if he will be able to produce as a pass rusher. He is a skilled run stuffer, but at the 13th pick, you are hoping to get a true difference maker. Unless he stuffs the run as well as someone such as Damon Harrison, Payne could struggle to live up to the expectations of being the 13th pick.
There are questions about whether or not Payne can be a three-down player in the NFL. If he is able to collapse the pocket from the middle, Washington will be very happy about this pick. If Payne struggles to do that, this selection will look like a disappointment.