Commanders' Jonathan Allen & Daron Payne: Best DT Duo?

While the Washington Commanders haven’t done a lot of winning lately you can’t point the finger at defensive tackles Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne who have been the best pair in the league according to NFL.com.

The Washington Commanders last had a winning season in 2016 and even then still didn’t clear the eight win barrier. 

For that achievement you have to back to the nine win 2015 campaign that resulted in a playoff berth and Wild Card Round exit. 

And that was the same season Washington coach Ron Rivera led the Carolina Panthers to a 15-1 regular season record culminating in a Super Bowl loss to the Denver Broncos. 

A lot has changed since then, but if there’s one thing - or two - that has been positive from all the non-winning its been the arrivals of defensive tackles Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne who are the NFL’s best interior duo according to NFL.com’s Bucky Brooks.

“Do not blame a defensive front loaded with first-round talent,” says Brooks. “Allen and Payne are rugged run-stoppers with pass-rush ability, combining for 19 sacks last season while helping suppress opponents on the ground. Washington’s solid ranking in rushing yards allowed per game (113.3, 11th in the NFL) does not adequately reflect the tandem’s dominance inside.”

Brooks goes on to accentuate how rare it is to find defensive tackles with the ability to disrupt the pass and run games, and the Commanders have two.

Falling in behind Washington’s duo on Brooks’ list are Arik Armstead and Javon Hargrove of the San Francisco 49ers and Dexter Lawrence and A’Shawn Robinson of the New York Giants.

Allen and Payne are the only Commanders duo to rank in this evaluation of top NFL duos, although there are several who might challenge that standing next season. 

Especially if Washington can get it’s first winning season in eight years.

Find David Harrison on the Locked On Commanders podcast or text him directly at (202) 760-2188.

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