As the NFL trade deadline draws closer, there are all kinds of rumors floating around the NFL about which team should trade for this person or which team should move that person. The Washington Commanders are no exception, and a recent Bleacher Report article suggested the Commanders should put defensive tackle Daron Payne on the trade block.

The Washington Commanders are still scrapping for a spot in the NFC East race, as evidenced by their admirable comeback effort against the San Francisco 49ers on Monday night.

"It's still wide open," receiver Stefon Diggs told Marshall Kramsky of WUSA.

However, effort doesn't change the fact that Washington is sitting at 1-4-1 and just lost star wide receiver Terry McLaurin to a season-ending knee injury. Getting the season back on track will be a challenge.

If the Commanders are open to trading players, possibly for receiver help, Daron Payne is a strong candidate. The 29-year-old defensive tackle has started all six games this season, has recorded 14 tackles, and will interest teams seeking defensive-line help.

Payne is also in a contract year and carrying a cap hit of $28 million.

Payne is in his 9th season in the NFL, and all of it with Washington. He’s been a valuable, reliable player on the defensive front, but he carries a big cap hit. In fact, it’s the largest on the entire roster, followed by Sam Cosmi at just over $20 million. He's also a free agent at the end of the season, and Washington hasn’t seemed inclined to extend him.

Over his career, Payne has recorded 446 tackles (242 solo), 38 sacks, eight forced fumbles, six fumble recoveries, one interception, 25 pass defenses, and 50.5 stuffs. Missing two games in 2025 was only the second time he’s missed that many games in a season, with the first coming in 2019.

It will be interesting to see if the Commanders are willing to trade away the face of their defensive front.