Nearly every draft expert has the Washington Redskins selecting Chase Young with the No. 2 overall pick, and ESPN NFL Draft analyst Todd McShay is no different. He's just as excited about the Ohio State edge rusher and believes the Redskins have a simple decision to make come draft time.
"This could be the easiest pick on the board, and considering the Redskins were 10th in the league with 46 sacks, it doesn't have much to do with a particular need," McShay wrote in his latest mock draft, which was released Monday night. "No, this instead has everything to do with the special talent of Young, who has one of the highest grades I've given a player in two decades of scouting."
The 6-foot-5, 265-pound Young was the best player in college football last season. He led the nation in sacks (16.5) and forced fumbles (six) and finished fourth with 21.0 tackles for loss -- all while missing two games. He won several defensive awards as a result and was the first defensive player since 2012 to be named a finalist for the Heisman Trophy, given annually to the best player in college football.
Many talent evaluators have compared Young to the Bosa brothers, Joey and Nick, who also played for the Buckeyes and were top 3 picks before winning NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. McShay believes Young could be better than both of them.
"Last year's No. 2 pick and former Buckeyes teammate Nick Bosa was a difference-maker [for the San Francisco 49ers] in Year 1, but the scary truth is that Young is an even better prospect."
McShay added that Young would also give the Redskins more versatility. He can line up opposite 2019 first-round selection Montez Sweat in a 4-3 defense or drop back to outside linebacker in a 3-4.
Either way, he'd be yet another elite talent along the team's defensive front.
"It doesn't matter [where he plays]," McShay said. "Young will be in the face of opposing quarterbacks every Sunday."
