Best for the Commanders: Chase Young or Dante Fowler?

The Commanders face Chase Young this week.

Chase Young or Dante Fowler?

Bet you probably never thought you would be asking yourself that question.

Fowler, a current Commanders defensive end, not only likes to wear jersey number six but has also played on six NFL teams in his nine NFL seasons.

Young, was not only a first-round draft choice like Fowler, but he was more than a few times said to be “a generational talent,” leading up to his being selected second overall by Washington GM and HC Ron Rivera in the 2020 NFL draft.

Most fans don’t realize Fowler was the third overall selection in the 2015 NFL draft. Yet, Fowler suffered a season-ending injury his rookie season before he even saw a regular season game. Then came 2016 and 2017, when Fowler had only started one game.

There were two seasons with the Rams (2018-19), two with the Falcons (2020-21), and Cowboys and Dan Quinn (2022-23), and with Quinn now in Washington in 2024.

Young was the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2020. However, he then determined that though 89 players showed up to work in the offseason team workouts, he didn’t need to. He frustrated coaches in 2021, rushing recklessly away from the assigned pass-rush lanes.

A serious knee injury ended his highly disappointing 2021 season. In 2022, he again disappointed coaches by not returning when doctors said he was ready.

Young was traded to the San Francisco 49ers during the 2023 season. He was on a Super Bowl team, yet he was caught on camera several times simply not putting in the effort needed.

Consequently, Young became a free agent and looked for the best deal he could receive from an NFL team. That team was the New Orleans Saints, the Commanders’ next opponent.

Fowler is having his best NFL season since 2019 (Rams) when he generated 11.5 sacks, 16 TFL and 16 QB hits. With four games remaining, Fowler has racked up 8.5 sacks, 30 tackles (19 solo, 11 assisted), and 11 TFL. Fowler even has a pick-6 against the Panthers this season.

Young, on the other hand, collected 7.5 sacks and 10 TFLs in his rookie season. He did have 7.5 sacks in 2023, yet his tackles were much less. This season for the Saints, Young has 3.5 sacks, 22 tackles and six TFLs.

One would think Young has had Sunday vs the Commanders marked for some time now.

Fowler probably won’t say anything all week. But he will show up Sunday and make some nice defensive plays.