Circumstances have certainly changed for Chase Young and the Washington Commanders over the past few weeks. The same could be said for the Atlanta Falcons, although in a different direction.
After getting off to a 2-0 start, the Commanders have lost three games in a row, most recently suffering a 40-20 blowout loss at the hands of the previously winless Chicago Bears.
Due to the recent turn of events, Washington may be very well sell off some pieces between now and the Oct. 31 NFL trade deadline, and one key name that could be on the move is Young.
The Commanders took Young with the second overall pick of the draft back in 2020, and early on, Young looked to be a stud. He racked up 44 tackles, 7.5 sacks, four forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and a defensive touchdown in his rookie campaign, earning himself a trip to the Pro Bowl.
However, since then, it has been rough sailing for Young.
Nine games into his sophomore season, Young tore his ACL, and even when he was on the field that year, he wasn’t very productive, registering just 1.5 sacks.
Young was then limited to just three games in 2022, and he proceeded to miss Washington’s season opener this year due to a stinger he sustained in the preseason.
The Commanders declined to exercise Young’s fifth-year option, meaning that the Ohio State product will be a free agent at season’s end.
Given that Washington and Young seem on track to go separate ways this spring, it would behoove the Commanders to trade him now to recoup some value for him.
How about the Atlanta Falcons as a potential destination?
The Falcons are certainly in need of a pass rusher, as they have amassed a grand total of five sacks thus far this season.
Atlanta could send a 2024 third-round draft pick and a sixth-rounder to Washington in exchange for Chase Young, which would allow the Commanders to extract some value for him before he walks via free agency. Meanwhile, the Falcons would land a young edge rusher with plenty of upside.
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