It was only one week ago that the Washington Redskins were expected to take star pass rusher out of Ohio State, Chase young, with the second overall pick in the 2020 NFL draft. When the New York Giants beat them late in the 2019 season, their hopes of landing Young went with the victory.
Even in a season where everything is going wrong, the Giants always manage to find a way to make it that much worse.
However, Washington hired former Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera to head their operations. He stated at the NFL combine that they would be evaluating quarterbacks and considering all options with the second overall pick. This opens up a small gate of possibility for the Giants, who desperately need a pass rusher to transform their defense. Lacking a playmaker on the defensive side of the ball has hurt Big Blue in recent seasons, forcing them to overcompensate in free agency and take illogical steps towards rebuilding the team. Adding a player like Young would instantaneously make the entire organization better.
The New York Giants would be getting one heck of a talent:
Young’s 2019 stats speak for themselves, as he posted up 16.5 sacks, 21 tackles for loss, 46 total tackles, and seven forced fumbles. At just 20 years old, Young is a generational talent looking to leave his mark in the NFL. At 6-foot-5, he’s a stellar athlete with the ability to handle double teams with ease. Pairing him with an option like Markus Golden would allow the Giants to address other positions of need, like offensive tackle and cornerback.
Now, it ultimately comes down to general manager Dave Gettleman and who he sees as the best fit for the Giants this upcoming season. Recent reports have indicated that he is enamored by interior defensive lineman Derrick Brown from Auburn. However, the vibrations from the NFL combine often casts a hazy cloud over the rumor mill, and with the draft several weeks away, plenty of reports will steer our expectations in a different direction. Draft day tells a different story, and Young could enter the fold for the Giants with the 4th pick if the stars align.
As Jordan Love, Justin Herbert, and Tua Tagovailoa’s draft stock continue to climb, Detroit and Washington might find more value moving back and allowing them to secure their quarterback of choice than staying put. After all, with the Dolphins and Chargers only a few slots behind, they could still land a premium player like Jeff Okudah or Isaiah Simmons.