2020 NFL Draft: Grading every first-round pick after rookie year

Grading every rookie from the 2020 NFL Draft: 2. Chase Young, DE, Washington Football Team

2020 stats:

• 44 tackles
• 7.5 sacks
• 4 forced fumbles, 3 fumbles recovered
• 4 passes defended

For the most part, no matter how good defensive players are coming out of college, quarterbacks normally get the most love. Yet, in the case of Chase Young, there was serious consideration that he should be taken number one overall. After watching his first year in the league, you can easily see why.

Young is a rock star when it comes to rushing the passer. The former Ohio State Buckeye dominated his one on one matchups and managed to rack seven and a half sacks. His ability to get his hands on the quarterback was impressive but even more so, was the fact that coach Ron Rivera named the first-year pro a team captain in late December.

While Young was one of the main reasons why his team was able to sneak into the playoffs, we have to factor in that the NFC East was historically bad. So while he was terrific on the year, he wasn’t exactly at the level of San Francisco 49ers DE Nick Bosa who recorded more tackles and sacks during his rookie year last season.

Young’s 24 QB pressures were also a paltry number when compared to others at his position.

Look, Young is special and he a terrific season but he still has a long way to go before we can start mentioning him amongst the games best. For now, though, his stats scream that he’s going to be a monster down the line. But this isn’t down the line, we’re talking right now. He had a great season but Joe Burrow was rightfully selected ahead of him.

Grade: A