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Washington Redskins: 5 First-round targets in 2018 NFL Draft

By Bryan Manning

BATON ROUGE, LA - NOVEMBER 25: Derrius Guice (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
BATON ROUGE, LA - NOVEMBER 25: Derrius Guice (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) /
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NEW ORLEANS, LA – JANUARY 01: Da’Ron Payne #94 of the Alabama Crimson Tide catches the ball for a touchdown as Chad Smith #43 of the Clemson Tigers defends in the second half of the AllState Sugar Bowl at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 1, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA – JANUARY 01: Da’Ron Payne #94 of the Alabama Crimson Tide catches the ball for a touchdown as Chad Smith #43 of the Clemson Tigers defends in the second half of the AllState Sugar Bowl at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 1, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) /

5. Da’Ron Payne, DT, Alabama

Most mock drafts have Alabama’s Da’Ron Payne or Washington’s Vita Vea going to the Redskins. It makes sense. The Redskins have a major need up front despite drafting Jonathan Allen in the first round one year ago. Allen was fantastic last season, unfortunately, he missed most of the season. Even if Allen is healthy in 2018, the Redskins need more talented bodies up front.

Enter Payne.

At just 20 years old, Payne, like most Alabama defenders, possesses a world of talent and can fill multiple roles for Washington up front. The Redskins want to add a defensive lineman who can play on all three downs and Payne fits that bill. While many question his ability to rush the passer, he did show potential in collapsing the pocket throughout the 2017 season. Go back and watch the College Football Playoff. Payne was everywhere.

Payne will certainly be a first-round pick. He is often viewed as the second best interior defensive line prospect in this draft behind Vea, although some in the NFL are higher on Payne. The Redskins are one team that could be higher on Payne, as former Washington tight end Chris Cooley, who works for the team-owned radio station is a color commentator for the team, says the Redskins definitely like Payne better than Vea.

Cooley is extremely plugged in so this is probably something you should remember as the draft approaches.

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