4 Washington Commanders the Detroit Lions could have particular interest in trading for

1. DT Daron Payne

The Commanders seem to have cast their lot with which of their former first-round pick defensive lineman they’ll keep long-term. Jonathan Allen has a big deal, while Chase Young and Montez Sweat will certainly get one when it comes time. They also drafted defensive tackle Phidarian Mathis in the second round this year.

Meanwhile, negotiations with Payne, the 13th overall pick in the 2018 draft, have either gone nowhere or never even really started. Trade speculation has naturally surfaced around him then, dating back to the offseason, including a proposed deal the Lions could make (and maybe still could make).

Payne won’t turn 26 until May, and he’s off to a nice start this season (3.5 sacks, five tackles for loss, nine quarterback hits, 10 quarterback pressures).

The Commanders rebuffed teams who had interest in trading for Payne during the offseason (the Lions among them?). But that tune could easily have changed since then, and he’s arguably their No. 1 trade asset.

Acquiring Payne comes with the automatic notion of giving him a nice contract extension, due to his talent and what it will take to get him. But that should not sway the Lions away from interest, and if it means giving up their second 2023 first-round pick (courtesy of the Rams), so be it.