Washington Selects Chase Young with No. 2 pick in NFL Draft

While he won’t be the first pick in the draft, Young’s traits and production are exceptional.

SI Staff | Apr 23, 2020

Washington selected DE Chase Young with the 2nd pick of the 2020 NFL Draft. Chase Young is a destructive force who improved each season during three years at Ohio State. Young was top chalk to be selected second overall. Massive in size, and possessing an equally large mean streak, Young won the 2019 Chuck Bednarik Award as the top defensive player in college football. He was also the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and was a Heisman Trophy finalist.

Despite missing two games due to an NCAA rules violation suspension, Young led the NCAA with 16.5 sacks and seven forced fumbles last season. The suspension is nothing to worry about as he borrowed money from a family friend to fly his girlfriend to the 2019 Rose Bowl. After racking up 98 total tackles over three seasons (68 solo), Young is also an asset as a run-stopper.

Here’s why SI’s Kevin Hanson ranked Young as the No. 1 overall player on his big board:

While he won’t be the first pick in the draft, Young’s traits and production are exceptional. While his impact goes beyond the box score, the explosive edge rusher led the nation in sacks (16.5, 1.38/G) and forced fumbles (six, 0.5/G) despite serving a two-game suspension for an NCAA rules violation.

2019 stats (Junior; Ohio State): 46 tackles, 21 tackles for loss, 16.5 sacks, 7 forced fumbles (12 games)

2018 stats (Sophomore; Ohio State): 34 tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss, 10.5 sacks, 1 forced fumble (13 games)

2017 stats (Freshman; Ohio State): 18 tackles, 5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, 1 forced fumble (9 games)

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Published Apr 23, 2020

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