Washington Commanders defensive end Chase Young is finally healthy. After missing the final seven games of the 2021 season and the first 14 games of 2022, Young reported to training camp this summer, ready for a huge 2023 season.
Young shed the bulky knee brace and has looked like his former explosive self in one-on-one drills throughout camp. In Friday’s preseason opener, Young logged four snaps before departing the game in what head coach Ron Rivera called “a little bit of a stinger.”
But before Young departed, he certainly looked like the player who was selected as the No. 2 overall pick in the 2020 NFL draft.
Check out this pass rush against Cleveland Browns left tackle Jedrick Wills — also a top-10 pick in the 2020 NFL draft.
A better look at how close Chase Young was to getting a sack on his last play Friday night. pic.twitter.com/dJvex6X7WT
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) August 12, 2023
We know of Young’s size, power and athleticism, but watch his leverage and hands on this rush. If that’s a sign of things to come, Young should post big sack numbers in 2023.
That’s some elite stuff.
Former Washington tight end Logan Paulsen, now an outstanding analyst for the team and local media, has watched Young since he was drafted. Paulsen has noticed a major difference this summer.
“I’ve wanted to see some maturation from Chase Young since he arrived,” Paulsen said on Friday’s episode of “Grant and Danny” via Lou DiPietro of Audacy.
“Because I had such a high evaluation of him, so I was waiting for him to ascend to the elite level – and since camp began, he has shown that he is in a different space physically and mentally than he has been in quite some time.”
Yes, that’s one rep, but Paulsen said this before Friday’s game. He’s watched Young closely and sees big things for the former NFL defensive rookie of the year in 2023.