New York Giants: Three ways Big Blue can get Chase Young in the draft
By Ed Stein
Ohio State’s Chase Young is one of the best edge rushers to come out of the college ranks in some time. By the time the New York Giants are on the clock, he is likely to be gone. Likely, but not definitely.
On April 23rd, Big Blue fans would love nothing better than to hear NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell say “with the fourth overall pick in the 2020 NFL draft, the New York Giants select Chase Young, edge rusher, The Ohio State University.”
The odds of that happening, however, aren’t very good. Not very good and impossible are two entirely different things. There are ways for the New York Giants to land Ohio State’s pass rusher extraordinaire that don’t involve seriously strapping the franchise of draft picks or anyone surrendering a vital organ. Before getting into that, what makes Chase Young so special.
Looking at some numbers, last season he had seven forced fumbles, 21 tackles for loss and 16.5 sacks. And that was done in only 12 outings. Young was suspended for a pair of games in November for getting an authorized loan from a family friend.
His lofty totals didn’t come by taking advantage of cannon fodder teams either. Seven of his sacks came against Big Ten West Division champion, 11th ranked Wisconsin (4) and East Division runners-up, No. 9 Penn State (3). Additionally, Young forced two fumbles in each contest. He’s a terror to opposing offenses.
Here are some of the comments about Young from those in the know.
"“He’s everything you want in a defensive end. He’s quick, he’s fast, he’s strong, he’s a very good technician. He cares. It’s about as no-brainer of a pick as you’re going to find, honestly.” – OSU football beat writer Bill Rabinowitz on NBC Sports Washington"
"Young’s 96.1 overall grade last season is the best we’ve seen since we started grading in 2014. He had a ridiculous 56 pressures (18 sacks, seven quarterback hits, 31 hurries) on just 320 rushes last season. – Steve Palazzo, Pro Football Focus"
"Watching the tape, there is no doubt that Young is a special player. He jumps off the screen with his excellent skill set and the ability to cause havoc in the backfield… In the pass rush, Young is truly dominant. He has an innate ability to get after the quarterback – Charlie Campbell, WalterFootball"
The short version is, if the New York Giants have an opportunity to get Young, they can’t pass it up. He is the game-changer the team has lacked since Michael Strahan and evokes memories of Lawrence Taylor coming around the edge at the quarterback.
As mentioned earlier Young should be gone by the time Giants General Manager David Gettleman sends in the pick. But there are ways he could join Big Blue at the draft.