Chase Young has seemingly been on the trade block ever since the Washington Commanders failed to exercise his fifth-year option for the 2024 season. Now that Young is entering a contract year, rival teams could attempt to acquire the former No. 2 overall pick at a discount. What could the Commanders get in return, and where are Young’s landing spots?
Chase Young Trade Rumors and Landing Spots
Washington has already invested significant cash in defensive tackles Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne, while edge rusher Montez Sweat is scheduled to hit free agency next spring. With that in mind, the Commanders are “open to listening” to offers for Young, according to Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated.
Breer reports that “it seems unlikely the Washington brass would move (Young) ahead of a must-win year,” but that could hypothetically change if the Commanders receive the right offer. Young is clearly a talented player, but given that injuries have limited him to just 12 games over the past two seasons, it’s hard to imagine Washington securing a high pick in exchange for Young.
Teams won’t give up a first-rounder for a player with Young’s limited track record, and even a second-round choice is probably too pricey, given that the ex-Buckeye will likely require a contract extension as part of a trade. A third-round pick probably makes the most sense for an acquiring team, but it might be hard for the Commanders to part with Young for a choice that could end up in the 80s or 90s.
Let’s run through the teams that could afford to take a risk on Young as the 2023 season approaches.
Chicago Bears
The Bears have used the past two offseasons to remake Matt Eberflus’ defense, adding draft picks like Jaquan Brisker, Kyler Gordon, Tyrique Stevenson, Gervon Dexter, and Zacch Pickens while signing free agents such as Tremaine Edmunds and TJ Edwards.
However, Chicago still has a glaring weakness at defensive end, where DeMarcus Walker and Trevis Gipson are currently projected as starters.
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Rasheem Green and Dominique Robinson will serve as additional depth, but this positional group needs more impact players, especially given that Eberflus’ scheme relies on the front four generating pressure.
The Bears have two fourth-round picks in the 2024 NFL Draft. Could they send one of those picks to Washington on a conditional basis, with the choice upgrading to a third-rounder if Young plays at least 50% of Chicago’s snaps next season? That type of trade could allow the Bears to take a chance on a pedigreed player while retaining draft capital flexibility heading into next offseason.
Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta’s defense will look significantly different in 2023. Not only is new coordinator Ryan Nielsen calling the plays, but the Falcons spent effusively in free agency to land Jessie Bates III, Calais Campbell, David Onyemata, Kaden Elliss, and Bud Dupree.
Elliss and Dupree will give Atlanta options on the edge, and they also used Day 2 choices on Arnold Ebiketie and DeAngelo Malone in 2022 and Zach Harrison in 2023. But, aside from one fluke season from Vic Beasley, the Falcons haven’t had a dominant defensive end since John Abraham was in town in the mid-to-late 2000s.
Atlanta clearly views itself as a contender next season, so a player like Young could appeal to general manager Terry Fontenot. Young might not be a perfect scheme fit in Nielsen sticks with a 3-4 front, but Young said before the 2020 draft that he’s comfortable playing in any system.
Detroit Lions
The Lions have to feel secure about one of their defensive end spots after Aidan Hutchinson — last year’s No. 2 overall pick — posted 9.5 sacks and finished second in Defensive Rookie of the Year voting in 2022.
But the other side of Detroit’s defensive line has far more questions. John Cominsky flashed last season but doesn’t have much of an NFL track record. And Romeo Okwara, Charles Harris, and 2022 second-rounder Josh Paschal all missed significant time with injuries last year.
Those players do give the Lions depth, though, meaning the club wouldn’t be totally reliant on Young to produce. Detroit could deploy Young in something of a designated pass rusher role in order to reduce his wear and tear. The Lions have an extra third-round pick in 2024 thanks to last season’s T.J. Hockenson trade that could entice the Commanders.
Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks don’t have as glaring of an EDGE need as other teams on our list. Uchenna Nwosu and Darrell Taylor both posted 9.5 sacks a year ago, while Seattle has invested Day 2 picks in Boye Mafe and Derick Hall in consecutive drafts.
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Still, if the Seahawks view themselves as legitimate Super Bowl contenders (as they should), they could stand to add another pass rusher. Seattle blitzed at the second-lowest rate in the NFL last season, so they need their front to get consistent pressure.
General manager John Schneider has never been afraid to trade picks for players — that’s how he found starting safeties Jamal Adams and Quandre Diggs. Young could be next in line, especially if Pete Carroll and Co. believe they can get the most out of the Ohio State product.
