New Orleans Saints Could Land Chase Young At The Right Price
The New Orleans Saints desperately need to bolster their pass rush this offseason. Despite a top-10 ranked pass defense, the Saints had just 34 sacks and 76 QB hits last season. Only three teams had less sacks than New Orleans, who produced their fewest sacks since 30 in 2016.
Most disappointing is the fact that Saints edge rushers accounted for only 16 sacks and 45 QB hits. This despite a career-best campaign from DE Carl Granderson, who had 8.5 sacks and 20 QB hits. These numbers look even worse if you take out the three sacks that DE Tanoh Kpassagnon had in a Week 15 win over the Giants.
Franchise great Cameron Jordan had his worst statistical production since his 2011 rookie year. Also dealing with nagging injuries, Jordan had only two sacks and six QB hits. Turning 35 in July, Jordan is still an effective player but may no longer be an every down threat after 13 seasons.
The Saints have spent three first or second round draft picks on edge rushers over the last six years in an attempt to bolster their pass rush. None of the three have made any impact.
Marcus Davenport, a 2018 first-round choice, was a huge disappointment and is no longer with the team. Payton Turner, a 2021 first-rounder, has played in only 15 of a possible 51 games because of injuries and has only three sacks and eight QB hits in three seasons. It's way too early to give up on Isaiah Foskey, a second-round choice last year, but Foskey did almost nothing in his rookie campaign.
Nov 20, 2022; New Orleans Saints defensive end Payton Turner (98) is carted off the field with an injury against the Los Angeles Rams. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
Those failed draft picks have several analysts believing that the Saints will again address the position early in this year's draft. For a New Orleans team scrambling to get under the salary cap by the start of free agency, those options will be limited for edge rushers. Consider that it is highly rare for an edge rusher in their prime to hit the open market. The ones that do often command astronomical salaries.
Brian Burns of the Panthers, Jacksonville's Josh Allen, and Danielle Hunter of Minnesota are difference makers that can wreck opposing offenses. Even if their respective teams don't franchise tag them, they will get elite contracts from someone.
There is one free agent possibility at this position that might be worth a look from New Orleans. ESPN writer Aaron Schatz identified this former top draft pick as someone who could warrant a look from the Saints and other teams.
Chase Young, DE
San Francisco 49ers defensive end Chase Young (92) rushes past Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Cade Otton (right). Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports
Young was the second overall choice in the 2020 NFL Draft out of Ohio State by Washington. He earned both a Pro Bowl berth and the Defensive Rookie of the Year with an impressive debut campaign of 7.5 sacks, 12 QB hits, four fumbles forced, and 10 tackles for loss.
Injuries held Young back the next two years, limiting to a total of 12 out of 34 games. He had only 1.5 sacks, five QB hits, and three tackles for loss while also having his effort openly questioned by some. Young would answer those criticisms with a strong start in 2023. Over the first seven games with Washington, he'd have five sacks, nine QB hits, and six tackles for loss.
Washington traded away both Young and DE Montez Sweat in a mid-season fire sale. Young was dealt to the San Francisco 49ers, where he'd be a vital part of the edge rotation for the eventual NFL champs. In 12 games for the 49ers, including playoffs, Young had 3.5 sacks, eight QB hits, and 10 pressures.
Chase Young is an enigma heading into free agency. He's a terrific athlete with good size at 6'5" and 264-Lbs. He's shown that he has all the tools to be a consistent disruptive force and at just 25-years-old next month, should be just scratching the surface of his potential. However, Young has not shown that he can be dominant consistently. It's that which might prevent teams from offering a big contract.
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) is pressured by San Francisco 49ers defensive end Chase Young (92) during Super Bowl LVIII. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
Aaron Schatz suggested one route that the Saints or other teams might explore if Young is willing.
The best option might be a one-year, prove-it contract for Young. He couldn’t stay healthy in 2021 and 2022, and while he had 7.5 sacks in 2023, his game fell off after he was dealt to San Francisco in the middle of the season. Young ranked 15th among edge rushers with a 19.3% pass rush win rate off the edge, but that went from 24.8% while he was with Washington to just 12.9% with San Francisco (through the playoffs). On a one-year deal with New Orleans, Young could play opposite Cameron Jordan and prove he still has all the talent that made him the No. 2 overall pick in 2020.
It is this scenario where the Saints could land a player like Chase Young. A one-year ''prove it'' deal could also be beneficial to Young. In that scenario, a big year in 2024 would undoubtedly set him up for a lucrative, long-term deal.
Chase Young would have an opportunity for that big contract season in New Orleans. With Jordan on the downside of his career, Turner often sidelined, and Foskey unproven, the Saints are in desperate need of a disruptive player. If Young is open to the idea, he could put himself in position to elevate the New Orleans defense in addition to his own career.
