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Washington Redskins: Best pick from each of last 10 NFL Draft classes

By Hunter Noll

LANDOVER, MD - DECEMBER 30: Washington Redskins owner Daniel Snyder before the game between the Washington Redskins and Philadelphia Eagles at FedExField on December 30, 2018 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD - DECEMBER 30: Washington Redskins owner Daniel Snyder before the game between the Washington Redskins and Philadelphia Eagles at FedExField on December 30, 2018 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images) /
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Washington Redskins Da'Ron Payne
ARLINGTON, TX – APRIL 26: A video board displays an image of Da’Ron Payne of Alabama after he was picked #13 overall by the Washington Redskins during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium on April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /

2018: Da’Ron Payne – First Round, 13th overall pick

If picking someone from 2017 seemed like a stretch due to how little time they’ve had to prove themselves, then 2018 is down-right ridiculous. That being said, this already looks like a strong draft class. Trey Quinn was Mr. Irrelevant and has the makings of a fantastic slot receiver. Then there’s Tim Settle (fifth round), who’s a project defensive tackle who could turn into an absolute unit of a run-stopper.

Greg Stroman (sixth round) and Adonis Alexander (supplement draft, if you want to count it) both have potential to be solid cornerbacks in the NFL as well. Many felt Derrius Guice was a first round talent, but he fell to the Washington Redskins in the second. An injury in the preseason sidelined him for the entire year, but he should be back for all of 2019. The running back definitely has the potential to be the star of this draft class as time goes on.

For now though, that distinction goes to Da’Ron Payne. Don’t let the Guice hype-train fool you though, Payne could very easily hold onto this title. The defensive lineman is a mammoth at 6-2, 319 pounds and knows how to throw it around on the field.

He spent all of his rookie season as a 21-year old, but you’d never be able to tell based on how he played. Payne started all 16 games for the Redskins at defensive tackle and racked up 56 tackles. That was the least surprising part of his game, as he was drafted with the expectation of being a run-stopper.

To his point, Payne has lived up to the hype there. What was more surprising was just how good he was at everything else. After recording just three sacks in three seasons at Alabama, Payne racked up five in his rookie year with the Redskins. He also deflected three passes and forced one fumble.

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Payne is often praised for his strength and quickness, but his athleticism goes unnoticed. For his size, he shouldn’t be able to move around as well as he does and already shows a knack for getting through and around blockers.

Payne is going to be young for a long time. He’ll only get better and could easily become the crowning jewel of a Redskins defensive line that will give opposing offenses nightmares. It’s only been one year, but Da’Ron Payne has a big lead on his fellow 2018 Redskins draft classmates for the title.

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