The Washington Redskins have the No. 2 pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, giving them the option to select almost any player eligible.
But in delving through initial mock drafts, every one has the Redskins making the same selection: Ohio State defensive end Chase Young.
Young, who grew up in Maryland and attended football powerhouse DeMatha Catholic, was the best defensive player in college football this season. Despite missing two games, Young led the nation in sacks (16.5) and forced fumbles (six) and finished fourth with 21.0 tackles for loss -- all of which helped him earn several defensive awards.
He was also the first defensive finalist for the Heisman Trophy, given annually to the sports's top player, since 2012. He finished fourth behind quarterbacks Joe Burrow (LSU), Jalen Hurts (Oklahoma) and Justin Fields (Ohio State).
Although the Redskins have spent three of their past four first-round selections on the defensive front -- including edge rusher Montez Sweat last season -- many draft experts believe this pick is a "no-brainer." Here's why:
Analysis: "If positional value didn't matter, Young would be the No. 1 overall pick. There's not a box he doesn't currently check at the position, and even better, he's seen his grade improve every single year at Ohio State."
Analysis: "Chase Young is a stud and the greatest talent in this class. The Redskins are lucky to get him here at No. 2 since the Bengals need a QB.
Young is a transcendent talent, he is an absolute monster off the edge indicative of his school-record 16.5 sacks. Young is a game wrecker that has the potential to be in the same class of the Von Millers and Khalil Macks of the world. Chase Young and last year's first-rounder Montez Sweat should strike fear in opponents coming off the edge for years to come."
Analysis: "If Burrow goes No. 1 to the Cincinnati Bengals, like most experts believe will happen, Young will be the best available prospect on the board for the Washington Redskins. On some draft boards, the Ohio State defensive end could be the No. 1 overall prospect, as he is for Bleacher Report's Matt Miller. If the Cincinnati Bengals' offensive-minded head coach Zac Taylor opts to select Burrow to replace Andy Dalton, Washington appears to have an easy decision to make.
New Redskins head coach Ron Rivera has a defensive background and had a history of taking players on that side of the ball in the first round when he was employed by the Carolina Panthers. During Rivera's tenure, the Panthers chose five defensive players with their first picks, including linebacker Luke Kuechly and defensive end Brian Burns.
Since Washington has a decent offensive foundation in place with quarterback Dwayne Haskins, running back Derrius Guice and wide receiver Terry McLaurin, it can afford to go in a defensive direction at No. 2. Young's potential addition would give the Redskins a pair of young pass-rushers in him and Montez Sweat to develop under Rivera's tutelage.
Washington would need to fill other holes to be successful, but starting the draft with a dominant defensive end could be a great move to help ignite the rebuild under Rivera."
Analysis: "Dwayne Haskins, Washington's 2019 first-rounder, has already welcomed Young to Twitter, and with new coach Ron Rivera's defensive background, this pick is somehow more of a no-brainer than a few weeks ago. Young has a chance to be better than Nick Bosa, the No. 2 pick a year ago."
Analysis: "The Redskins are in position to be on the other end of a gigantic, Robert Griffin III type trade. But if they don't get an enormous haul for the No. 2 overall pick, they'll likely draft Young to continue to build the defensive front for new coach Ron Rivera."
Analysis: "The Giants' loss (literally) is Washington's gain. Young is the best player available in this draft class. Outside of the chance to trade down with a team looking to move up for a quarterback, there should be no debate over what to do at No. 2 overall."
Analysis: "Young qualifies as a better prospect than recent Ohio State studs Joey and Nick Bosa. With defensive-minded Ron Rivera hired as head coach, assuming the Redskins don't get a can't-refuse offer to trade back, they should jump at the chance to get this cornerstone talent for the team's defensive rebuild. Young (6-5, 265 pounds) is a game-changing disruptor who had 16.5 sacks in only 12 games as a junior. He is the clear pick for a team that doesn't need a QB."
Analysis: "This pick is also likely a done deal, as Chase Young is one of the best defensive prospects the NFL has seen in the last decade. His combination of length, speed, and power off the edge will make him a perennial double-digit sack threat. Unless the Redskins get a king's ransom for this pick, Young will be another building block on this young, talented Washington defensive line."
Analysis: "Sure, the Washington Redskins just drafted Montez Sweat. But for as good as Sweat's off-season circuit was in 2019 and his play in 2018 at Mississippi State, well, he's no Chase Young. This selection is a best-player-available call and should be an absolute no brainer for Washington. This team needs difference makers, first and foremost, and Young is that."
Analysis: "This pick also seems to be a lock, especially with new head coach Ron Rivera in place. For him, everything starts on the defensive side, and adding Chase Young alongside 2019 first-round pick in Montez Sweat will continue the team's investment on that side of the ball. Incorporating the former Ohio State edge rusher with Jonathan Allen, Daron Payne and Matt Ioannidis gives the Washington Redskins one of the best young defensive fronts in the league."
Analysis: "Much like last year with the San Francisco 49ers and Nick Bosa, Washington lands the best overall prospect in this class at the No. 2 pick. Young is a rare pass rusher with an incredible combination of size, athleticism and explosiveness, making him a steal even this early."
Analysis: "With Ron Rivera and Jack Del Rio, Washington could run an interesting 4-3/3-4 hybrid that will rely on Young and Montez Sweat being versatile rushing the passer. That should give the team quite the dangerous duo to help mask some of its flaws in the secondary."
