The 2023 trade deadline is fast approaching and trade rumours are hotting up. One of the names being talked about as a candidate to be moved is former No. 2 overall pick, Chase Young. The Washington edge rusher has been an impactful player when healthy, but injuries have limited his impact.
Young is set to hit free agency this summer after the Commanders declined to pick up his fifth year option. They already have to find money for fellow edge rusher Montez Sweat, so moving on from Young and acquiring future draft capital could be a smart move.
There will no doubt be plenty of interest for a player of Young’s pedigree and production. Here are five teams who should consider trading for him before the deadline.
Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks have been playing some great football this season. They sit ninth in total DVOA and rank inside the top 10 in both offensive and defensive success rate. That said, they have had some issues getting after opposing quarterbacks. Whilst their sack numbers have been solid, they are noticeably inconsistent at generating pressure. Seattle are one of only two teams with a winning record who don’t have a single player with 20+ pressures.
Young would add some much-needed juice in that department. So far this season, Young ranks fourth in pressures and eighth in pass rush win rate amongst edge rushers. With over $17 million in cap space and extra draft capital at their disposal, this is the kind of move the Seahawks should be making if they want to capitalise on a weak NFC.
Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta are another NFC team who should consider making a play for Young. Their pass rushing woes have been a problem for years and the team’s lack of a properly reliable and productive edge has cost them. Young might be the solution to those problems. Atlanta’s defense has been above average this season but they sit way down at 28th in adjusted sack rate – that kind of situation is not sustainable in the long term.
The Falcons’ edge rushers have combined for just 46 total pressures in seven games. For context, that is only three more than Maxx Crosby has managed on his own in Las Vegas. Atlanta has a very real chance of winning the NFC South this season, but in a hotly contested division they need every advantage they can get. Young gives them just that.
Detroit Lions
Notwithstanding last week’s loss to Baltimore, the Lions have been outstanding this season. Their offense has been as reliable as it always has under Ben Johnson, whilst their defense has finally stepped up and delivered some impressive performances. That said, if there is a weakness anywhere it is the lack of a secondary pass rusher behind Aidan Hutchinson.
Heading into Week 8, Hutchinson has 42 pressures. That is the second highest mark in the entire NFL, behind only Maxx Crosby. He is also 11th amongst edge rushers in pass rush win rate. The problem is that the next best Lion is Romeo Okwara, who ranks 76th. Detroit are primed for a big season and have a legitimate shot at the No. 1 seed in the NFC. They would be crazy not to at least consider a move for Young.
Baltimore Ravens
The team with the most sacks in the NFL should trade for Young? Yes, this fit might not be as obvious as others, but it makes a tonne of sense. For one thing, you can never have too much talent in the trenches. If Baltimore want to go all the way this season they’d be smart to add depth in the trenches to allow their front to stay fresh in key games.
There’s also the fact that this is a team with Super Bowl ambitions whose biggest pressure getters at edge this season are Jadeveon Clowney and Kyle Van Noy. Young would seriously elevate this unit and give Mike Macdonald more firepower to work with. With over $27 million in cap space next season the Ravens should also have no issues making a contract work.
Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars’ defense has been excellent this season, with the team sitting seventh in EPA per play through seven weeks. The problem is that, like some others on this list, they are almost entirely reliant on one player to generate pressure. Josh Allen’s 33 pressures are as much as all of the Jaguars’ other edge rushers combined. That just isn’t sustainable.
Young would give them another reliable presence on the defensive line and would no doubt create more favourable opportunities for Josh Allen in the process. The one question here is the impact it could have on 2022’s No. 1 overall pick Travon Walker. Walker has underwhelmed through his first two seasons, but Jacksonville may feel it is too soon to move on from him and replace him as a starter.
