Defensive end Chase Young is set for free agency and has a résumé that spans between the San Francisco 49ers and Washington Commanders. Displaying a great deal of potential at Ohio State, Young was drafted with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.
Young made the Pro Bowl in his rookie season, playing in 15 games and starting all 15. He had 44 total tackles (32 solo), 10 tackles for loss, 12 quarterback hits, 7.5 sacks, four pass deflections, four forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries. The 6-foot-5, 264-pound edge rusher was also named the 2020 Associated Press Defensive Rookie of the Year and Pro Football Writers Association Defensive Player of the Year.
Young’s since seen his ups and downs with injuries throughout four NFL seasons but only missed one game last season between the 49ers and Commanders. Young had 25 combined tackles (17 solo), seven tackles for loss, 15 QB hits, 7.5 sacks, and two pass deflections in 2023.
Chase Young Comes Back to Maryland, This Time With Baltimore Ravens
Young would be a valuable addition to a Baltimore Ravens team that needs a replacement for the exiting Jadeveon Clowney, who is 31, and Kyle Van Noy (32).
Both Clowney (9.5) and Van Noy (9.0) had the highest sack totals of their career. However, that was before the departure of defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald to become the Seattle Seahawks head coach.
Baltimore is also in a cap crunch at the moment, currently sitting in the red with -$10,032,381 in cap space, per Over the Cap.
Mike Macdonald Can Revive Young’s Young Career
It might not be over for Young in the NFC West. He could make the opposite move of former Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman and leave the 49ers for Seattle. Seattle has two unrestricted free agent defensive linemen — Leonard Williams and Mario Edwards — and has an exclusive rights free agent in Joshua Onujiogu.
Williams had 41 tackles (24 solo) with four sacks in 2023, while Edwards had 21 tackles (15 solo) and two sacks. The Seahawks have $41,610,9909 in cap space. While a different fit, Young could add potency to a pass rush, a skill set that can prove invaluable.
Atlanta Falcons Could Use a Chase Young
The Falcons are going to have to figure out how to boost the team’s sack production in 2024. There are several free agent defensive linemen in Calais Campbell, Kentavius Street, and Joe Gaziano, along with outside linebacker Bud Dupree.
Atlanta had the sixth-fewest sacks in the NFL last year (42), but they now have $37,267,401 in cap space.
Minnesota Vikings Are a Player for Young
The Vikings have $37,116,005 in cap space heading into free agency. Just like Atlanta, Minnesota had issues getting home on sacks last season and generated 43 as a team.
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That’s the eighth least in the NFL, and it doesn’t help that they’ll watch Danielle Hunter, Anthony Barr, Marcus Davenport, Jonathan Bullard, and D.J. Wonnum head into free agency.
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