Commanders get rid of Daron Payne in latest trade offer and totally rob the team they traded with at the same time
The Washington Commanders trade away Daron Payne for more picks in the 2026 NFL Draft in the latest proposed scenario, which would be a massive win for Adam Peters, who robbed the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The NFL Draft is two weeks away, and the Washington Commanders only have six picks to work with, as of now. The Commanders have been linked as a team to trade back for more picks, but there’s another avenue they could take as well.
There could still be plenty of moves to make before the draft starts, including signing free agents or even a trade. FOX Sports’ latest article proposes the Commanders trade away Daron Payne to an AFC team, and the package is too good to turn down.
What do the Washington Commanders get in the Daron Payne trade proposal?
FOX Sports Senior NFL Writer Ralph Vacciano wrote up an article about trades that each AFC team needs to make before the NFL Draft. The Commanders were one of the teams targeted for the Jacksonville Jaguars, with DT Daron Payne as a trade candidate.
Vacciano proposes the Washington Commanders send away Payne for the Jaguars 2026 third-round pick (No. 88 overall) and 2026 fourth-round pick (No. 124 overall). This is the perfect trade package for the Commanders, and a trade they should absolutely do if possible.
“Payne had 11.5 sacks in 2022 and looked like one of the best defensive tackles in the league. Since then, on some bad Washington defenses, he’s had just 11 sacks in three seasons. But he’s only 29 and his ceiling remains high, making him worth the gamble for the Jags. He’d give them the interior pass rush they were so obviously lacking last season.
With Travon Walker and Josh Hines-Allen on the edge, Payne could make a big difference playing next to Arik Armstead in the middle. He’s in the final year of his contract, and due about $21 million, which could keep his trade price out of the first two rounds.”
Ralph Vacchiano
FOX Sports NFL Writer
Why the Washington Commanders should do this trade
From a pick standpoint, the Washington Commanders only have six picks to work with, and lack a second and a fourth-round pick. They’ll get another top-100 pick and add a fourth-round pick to find a gem.
Looking at the roster, the Commanders have had no plans of extending Daron Payne, and he’s going to play on the last year of his deal, and very likely move on. The Commanders added Tim Settle in free agency, and Charles Omenihu can also play inside. They have plenty of players who could play in Payne’s spot, and they could even draft someone in a deep DT class to become the future at the position.
Payne has the highest salary cap hit on the team at almost $28 million in 2026, and his play doesn’t warrant that much. The Jaguars would have to give him a new contract, but the Commanders could eat some of his 2026 salary to help get this trade package. He’s still just 28 years old, and a change of scenery can help him become productive again.
The Commanders hosted DT Kayden McDonald for a top-30 visit, and they could draft him if they trade back in the first round. He’s an immediate replacement for Payne as a rookie.
