An ESPN analyst floated an interesting trade idea that has a Super Bowl contender in the AFC acquiring Washington Commanders’ star Chase Young.
In a surprise move, Washington declined the fifth-year option on Young’s rookie contract. The No. 2 pick of the 2020 NFL Draft has been limited to 12 games over the last two seasons because a torn ACL he suffered in the midst of the 2021 campaign.
If the Commanders are out of playoff contention and/or if they decide against extending Young, he’ll be one of the top names to follow leading up to the trade deadline.
ESPN’s Seth Walder proposed five blockbuster trade ideas for the 2023 NFL season. Among his proposals? The Commanders dealing the 2020 Defensive Rookie of the Year to the Baltimore Ravens for 2024 third and fifth-round draft picks:
“His ability to beat blocks and get pressure is why I could see Baltimore taking a swing. The team just extended defensive tackle Broderick Washington to help solidify the interior of its defensive line, but edge rusher is a weakness, with Tyus Bowser, Odafe Oweh and David Ojabo at the top of Baltimore’s depth chart. Young gives the group instant upside and costs very little to the Ravens financially — only an approximate $1 million salary, per Roster Management System.
If Young works out, Baltimore gets the value of his play and can consider re-signing him or letting him go for a compensatory pick (which it has a better shot of getting than the Commanders would if Washington kept Young this year). But even if he doesn’t work out, the Ravens would probably still get some sort of compensatory pick if Young signs elsewhere next March.”
The Ravens certainly make sense as a landing spot for Young. Justin Houston led the team with 9.5 sacks last year, but he wasn’t re-signed and wound up taking a one-year deal with the Carolina Panthers.
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Calais Campbell, who tied Justin Madubuike for the second-most sacks among Ravens with 5.5, was released. For a team that traditionally runs a blitz-happy defense, the Ravens sure need more proven playmakers to help their defensive line.
At this time, it looks like Young will open the season with the Commanders. If he regains his star-like form we saw in 2020, Young just might end up getting extended after all.
