Projected Trade Value: 2026 4th-Round pick
With top defensive line prospects like Washington and Uiagalelei headed back to college, a veteran defensive lineman like Daron Payne might have an increased market in 2026.
The Washington Commanders, meanwhile, may be eager to move the 28-year-old standout defensive tackle.
Washington needs to regroup after regressing in 2025, and it needs to overhaul a defense that ranked dead-last in yards allowed and 27th in points allowed. Moving Payne could help the Commanders find the cap space needed to do it.
The final year of Payne’s contract is set to include a cap hit of $28 million. Trading him would save $16.8 million in cap space.
Payne, who logged three sacks, seven tackles for loss, and 46 combined tackles in 2025, is a high-level starter who should draw plenty of interest and bring Washington a solid return in a trade. A team desperate for defensive help, like the Cincinnati Bengals, should be willing to make a strong offer.
Cincinnati has now missed the playoffs in back-to-back seasons largely because of its terrible defense. Last season, the Bengals ranked 31st in yards per carry allowed and 32nd in rushing yards allowed.
If the Bengals hope to stop wasting Joe Burrow’s prime years and return to the playoffs in 2026, adding a front-line defender like Payne would be a good first step.
Top Landing Spot: Cincinnati Bengals