Life is about to change for Ohio State defensive end Chase Young. Most NFL experts have the game-wreaking edge rusher as the top prospect in this year’s draft. But that doesn’t mean he’ll go first. That distinction is most likely going to be owned by LSU’s Joe Burrow.
Still, Young should go quickly thereafter, with most projecting him at the No. 2 overall pick to the Washington Redskins. If so, he’ll be reunited with former Buckeye teammates Dwayne Haskins and Terry McLaurin. Going to our nation’s capital would also mean playing for his hometown team. Young played high school football just twenty minutes away at Dematha Catholic High School in Hyattsville, MD.
Young should have an immediate impact, should plug right in as a starter, and has a shot at wearing a yellow jacket when it’s all said and done. He’s projected to be that good.
Next … Young’s strengths
Strengths
Young is a freakish athlete. He has the length, power, and size to bully the man he lines up across from, but is also quick enough to beat almost any offensive tackle off the edge. He’s not just gifted with athletic talents though, he has worked hard with his technique to get around and through his man. It’s part of the reason why he led the country this year with 16.5 sacks, a single-season Ohio State program record.
And it’s not just pass-rushing that he excels at. One of the things he doesn’t get enough credit for is his ability to play and diagnose things against the run. He is almost as equally adept at diagnosing plays and working his way off blocks to make stops behind the line and in pursuit.
Guys like Young don’t come around very often.
Next … Young’s weaknesses
Weaknesses
Boy, it’s hard to really nitpick on a guy that seems to have it all, but everyone has things they can work on. At the tail end of the year, teams were able to game plan against Young by chipping him with extra help, and by double and triple-teaming him.
Almost everyone would struggle to jump out on film with that much attention geared towards them, but you could see Young get frustrated at times with not beating his man or men initially. He has to play through extra attention and still find a way to get home. There’s also the bit about the off-the-field suspension he encountered last year. It’s not a severe red flag, but questions will be asked.
Next … Young’s draft projection
Draft Prediction
Young is as sure of a top-three pick as you can have. He’ll be off the board early, so make sure you tune into the draft on-time or you’ll miss it. He’ll likely go No. 2 overall to the Washington Redskins.
