Chase Young has been a strong contributor to the Washington Commanders’ defense, starting the season with five sacks and 14 tackles.
Young, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, is in the final year of his rookie contract and is set to be a free agent this spring. Will Washington cling to the defensive end and hope he can be a contributor in leading them to the playoffs, or should they look to make a trade now before the NFL’s trade deadline?
If the team decides to make the move, let’s look at some landing spots that could make sense around the NFL.
Why Moving Chase Young Makes Sense
At 3-4, the Commanders are still somewhere in the middle between being buyers and sellers this trade deadline.
With Young and Montez Sweat being named with trade rumors tied to them, the team will potentially move one for the right price, as they likely won’t be able to afford both players long-term.
MORE: NFC East Trade Candidates
With a matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles coming up in Week 8, the Commanders will likely fall to 3-5 and may look to start acquiring some building blocks for a rebuild. It seems likely that it will take a second or third-round pick to get either Young or Sweat from the Commanders, and as of now, it would make sense for the Commanders to get more picks under their belt.
Best Fits for a Young Trade
Baltimore Ravens
At 5-2, the Baltimore Ravens are off to a good start but could afford to bolster their defense in the form of an edge rusher.
The veteran edge rusher Young would be a good match for the team. As they look to make a playoff run in the loaded AFC, it would make sense for the Ravens to add depth and talent to their edge rush position.
The Ravens have a tough schedule ahead and will face several efficient offenses with upcoming games against the Cleveland Browns, San Francisco 49ers, and Miami Dolphins. Young is a dominant pass rusher who would likely have an immediate impact on the defense and give the team a consistent pass rush — something they have been lacking this season.
Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jacksonville Jaguars sit at 5-2 and are in a very similar position to the Ravens. With the chance to make a playoff run, the team could afford a pass rusher to increase its chances.
While the team is well-rounded and holds a two-game lead in the AFC South, the pass rush is an area the Jaguars still needs to address.
While Jacksonville would have to trade away a couple of draft picks, the benefits would likely outweigh the negatives.
Seattle Seahawks
The 4-2 Seattle Seahawks are also in a position to acquire a pass rusher to heighten their chances of having a better shot at a playoff run.
After an injury to linebacker Uchenna Nwosu ended his season, Seattle needs more players in rotation on the edge.
While head coach Pete Carroll recently said the team does not think they need to add another pass rusher with Darrell Taylor, Derick Hall, and Boye Mafe in the lineup, adding another productive rusher in Young would help the defense.
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