I know, I know, you think it was a foregone conclusion that former all-everything Ohio State defensive end Chase Young was going to be penciled in as a starter as an edge rusher on Washington’s defensive line. But not so fast.
In order to do that, Young was always going to have to beat out to four-time Pro-Bowler Ryan Kerrigan or first-round 2019 NFL Draft pick Montez Sweat. Unless that is, they were looking to move the freakish athlete to the inside in which would have been like putting a square peg into Washington Monument shaped hole.
So, many felt that Young would be the future on one of the edges but that he would be originally behind Kerrigan on the depth chart as he dipped his toes into the NFL waters.
Well, no — not really.
Washington released its depth-chart for week one on Tuesday, and instead, it is allowing Young to cannonball dive right into the deep end of NFL action, listing him as No. 1 on the depth chart, starting opposite Sweat, and ahead of Kerrigan.
Washington’s first depth chart of the season lists J. D. McKissic as the starting running back: pic.twitter.com/pXEZAlzfdM
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 8, 2020
It’s not like he hasn’t shown he’s more than capable during Washington’s training camp, but he was out with briefly with a minor hip-flexor injury. The fact that he was still elevated to starter with that in mind shows how truly dominant he’s been, and what the coaching staff believes he already is.
Yes, the Chase Young era appears to be off and flying in our nation’s capital.