NFL Draft Trade Idea: Commanders Deal DE Chase Young?

Washington Commanders defensive end Chase Young is amazingly talented, but is coming off a torn ACL and will likely need to be paid a lot of money soon.

The Washington Commanders currently hold the No. 16 pick in the NFL Draft, but one trade idea could have them also with the No. 12 selection.

ESPN 97.5 suggests that the Commanders should trade defensive end Chase Young to the Houston Texans for the No. 12 pick.

The move, upon first glance, appears to make sense for both sides.

The Texans make the move because they acquire a player on an affordable deal that can immediately give the defense a playmaker in the pass rush department.

Young, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, made the Pro Bowl in his rookie season after forcing four fumbles and recording 7.5 sacks on top of 44 tackles. However, injuries have robbed him of 22 games in the past two seasons, including 14 in 2022.

Young has two more years left on his rookie deal if his fifth-year option is exercised. Should Young be rostered by the Texans, that's a definite. But for the Commanders ... it isn't quite as simple.

Washington has invested more money in the defensive line than any other unit on the team. Jonathan Allen was signed to a long-term deal in 2022, while Daron Payne inked a big contract just a few weeks ago. Next season, Montez Sweat will be due for a massive payday. However, Sweat and Young are both unlikely to each receive a massive extension from the Commanders. Chances are, only one will be able to get a big contract.

Young had the higher pre-draft ceiling, but Sweat, another former first-round pick, has been worthy of a big contract, and the Commanders won't be able to pay him if they choose to save money for their former No. 2 pick.

Trading Young now could be at his peak in value. There's a chance he may not be the same player he was back in 2020. There's a chance he could be better, but torn ACL's are hard to overcome for a defensive end.

If the Commanders dealt Young for the No. 12 pick, it gives Washington another first-round pick to work with this year and maximum flexibility to move up, down or take two incredibly talented players in the middle of the first round to help build the team as it gears for a gauntlet of a season in the NFC East.

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