Does Chase Young ‘Have the Talent’ to Make Commanders Elite?

Despite many being disappointed by Washington Commanders defensive end Chase Young’s first three seasons in the NFL, Pro Football Focus still sees top end potential.

The Washington Commanders drafted defensive end Chase Young out of Ohio State with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2002 NFL Draft for two reasons. 

One of the reasons was his potential on the field to become a dominant pass rusher in the league, and the second was the possibility he might help make the Commanders defense an elite unit.

Unfortunately, neither of those things has come to fruition yet, which is why the team declined Young’s fifth-year option this offseason. 

According to Pro Football Focus, however, that potential is still there four seasons into his career.

“Young has all the tools to be a great pass rusher. He showed as much in his only full season in 2020,” says PFF. “His injury derailed his ascent to elite status, but he’s still just 24 years old. He has the talent to get there and turn Washington’s defense into an elite unit.”

That statement alone departs from the usual narrative that says Young was struggling to fully develop into a big-time presence midway into his second NFL season.

After tallying 7.5 sacks on his way to being the NFL’s Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2020 Young posted just 1.5 in the eight full games he played before being injured in the ninth. 

A pace of three sacks had he finished the year would have ranked him 26th of 51 second year defensive ends drafted in the first round since 2010.

Not exactly a pace most would consider on the way to elite. 

Still, if Washington is going to have an elite defense in 2023 PFF is all but certain Young’s continued rise to that same status is going to be required.

“If the Commanders are going to make a playoff push this season, their talented defense will be the primary reason,” PFF says. “Young, the most talented player of the group, needs to bounce back after returning from a knee injury late last season.”

It’s a lot of pressure to put on a young player about to embark on his first full season after suffering serious damage to one knee and surgeries on both. 

But then, “pressure” is a theme of this year’s Commanders season, as the coach, new owners, quarterback, and certainly Young himself, are all feeling differing levels of it. … and we’re about to find out if the talented Young is up to the challenge.

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

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