ESPN's Jeremy Fowler writes that New Orleans Saints edge rusher Chase Young's (neck) enormous skill set has impressed the team in training camp after he signed a one-year, $13 million deal in free agency. Young has been kept on a pitch count coming off offseason neck surgery, but he'll soon be full-go. He was considered a top-10 edge rusher after his rookie year in 2020, but injury problems and a lack of focus in Washington set him back. "He's disruptive -- he's big, he's physical, he's fast, he's motivated," head coach Dennis Allen said. The former second overall pick in 2020 out of Ohio State matched his career-high of 7.5 sacks in 16 combined games with Washington and the San Francisco 49ers last year and could help the Saints' defensive line become a formidable pass-rushing unit in 2024 if he can stay on the field.
Coach Dennis Allen announced that New Orleans Saints defensive end Chase Young (neck) was cleared for "full participation" on July 22. Allen noted that Young would continue to increase his daily activity and has complied with all the training staff's requirements. Young signed a one-year, fully guaranteed $13 million contract with the Saints this offseason. New Orleans aims to make Young a key component of their pass rush after he tied his career-high with 7.5 sacks last season, alongside 25 tackles and 41 pressures with Washington and San Francisco. The Saints finished the 2023 season ranked 28th with just 34 sacks, their lowest total since 2016. Young hopes to strengthen the New Orleans defense, potentially creating more fantasy opportunities for star offensive players like Chris Olave and Alvin Kamara.
Chase Young Plans To Be Available For Training Camp
New Orleans Saints defensive end Chase Young (neck), who had offseason neck surgery, received a positive report from renowned specialist Dr. Robert Watkins during a checkup this week, according to a source. Young will have more tests on his neck in around six weeks, but he plans to take part in training camp this summer. The former second overall pick by the Washington Commanders in 2020 out of Ohio State won Defensive Rookie of the Year in his first season in the league, but then injuries struck. He was able to play in 16 games with Washington and the San Francisco 49ers last year, though, and finished with 7.5 sacks, the same amount he had in 2020. If the 25-year-old can just say on the field, the Saints could have a real steal on their hands on their D-line. Because of the injury risk, Young can be left to the waiver wire in IDP leagues to start the year.
Chase Young Could Be Big Addition For Saints Defense
New Orleans Saints All-Pro pass-rusher Cameron Jordan thinks the offseason addition of former first-round defensive end Chase Young "is going to be great for our defense." "We already got Carl Granderson, who's stellar these last couple of years. I think with growth him being on the opposite side when he gets the right health, physically. He's going to be another piece we can add on," Jordan said. Young was traded from the Washington Commanders to the San Francisco 49ers on Halloween last year before signing a one-year deal with the Saints in free agency this offseason. The 2020 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year had neck surgery this offseason but is expected to be ready for the start of the 2024 season. If the 25-year-old Young can get back to his rookie-year form, the Saints pass rush could be very dangerous this year.
Recently signed New Orleans Saints edge defender Chase Young (neck) is scheduled to undergo a neck procedure that is expected to sideline him for training camp, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. This was announced after he reached a one-year, $13 million deal with New Orleans, but the teams he spoke to apparently knew about it. Nonetheless, the Saints were comfortable with signing him under these conditions. Young, the former No. 2 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, has posted 16.5 sacks through his first 43 games with the Washington Commanders and San Francisco 49ers. With Cameron Jordan and Carl Granderson already in the edge rotation, Young has the upside to make this a strong pass-rushing unit in 2024. He is expected to be ready for the start of the regular season.
The New Orleans Saints are expected to sign former San Francisco 49ers pass-rusher Chase Young to an undisclosed deal, according to a source. The 2020 No. 2 overall pick out of Ohio State will get a fresh start in New Orleans in 2024. Young was named the NFL's Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2020 with the Washington Commanders when he had a career-high 44 tackles (32 solo), 7.5 sacks, 10 tackles for loss, 12 QB hits, four forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries (one returned for a touchdowns) in 15 starts, but he played in just 12 games in the next two seasons, which is why the Commanders moved on. The 24-year-old combined for another 7.5 sacks last year with Washington and San Fran, though, and another bounce-back year could be in store for him in the Big Easy if he's able to stay healthy.
Free-agent pass-rusher Chase Young is expected to visit with the Carolina Panthers and New Orleans Saints this week, according to a source. The 2020 Defensive Rookie of the Year is still only 24 years old and is receiving interest from a handful of teams. Young, the second overall pick by the Washington Commanders in 2020 out of Ohio State, made the Pro Bowl in his first NFL season and recorded 7.5 sacks in 15 games. However, injuries limited him to a combined 12 games in 2021 and 2022 before he bounced back with 7.5 sacks in 16 games (six starts) with the Commanders and San Francisco 49ers last year. San Fran has already added two defensive linemen in free agency, so it's unlikely that Young will be returning to the Bay Area in 2024. Another year removed from injury, Young could be a sleeper defensive lineman in IDP fantasy leagues.
Even though edge rusher Chase Young was a bit of a disappointment after the San Francisco 49ers acquired him in a deadline deal with the Washington Commanders last year, the 49ers have at least some interest in re-signing him. Young is still just 24 years old and has a great relationship with star edge rusher Nick Bosa (the two were college teammates at Ohio State). The former second overall pick by Washington in 2020 might have to settle for a one-year, prove-it deal with San Francisco or another team, but there are still enough clubs intrigued by his potential. After being dealt by Washington in 2023, Young had 10 tackles (five solo), 2.5 sacks and six QB hits in nine regular-season games for the Niners. In total last year, his 7.5 sacks matched his total from his rookie campaign in 2020, when he was named the Defensive Rookie of the Year.
Washington Commanders edge rusher Chase Young is being traded to the San Francisco 49ers in exchange for a third-round pick. The 24-year-old was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft and now finds a new home in the NFC. He won the 2020 Defensive Rookie of the Year Award with 7.5 sacks but posted just 1.5 sacks over the next two seasons due to knee injuries. He was off to a solid start this season, posting five sacks in six games. The 49ers now have a front seven consisting of Young, Arik Armstead, Javon Hargrave, Nick Bosa, Randy Gregory, Dre Greenlaw, and Fred Warner. Meanwhile, Washington appears to be looking toward the future after trading Montez Sweat and Young on the same day.
The Washington Commanders already traded pass-rusher Montez Sweat to the Chicago Bears on Tuesday, but they may not be done with Tuesday's deadline quickly approaching at 4 pm ET. Sources are saying that the Commanders are now taking calls on former No. 2 overall pick Chase Young. Sweat was in the final year of his contract, but a trade of Young could signal that Washington is firmly tearing things down with an eye towards the future. The Commanders' defensive line has been their strength this year, but their secondary has really let them down. The 24-year-old Young was the Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2020 but then played in 12 combined games in 2021 and 2022 due to injuries. He's already up to five sacks through seven games in 2023 and is looking like the rookie version of himself, which has surely made him attractive to interested teams looking to beef up their pass rush.
