2020 NFL Draft: Chase Young tops list of high-potential edge rushers

We’ve reached the defensive portion of the top-5 rankings by position, just in time for the kickoff of college football. In this list, we’ll look at edge rushers who could fit in as traditional 4-3 ends or 3-4 outside linebackers.

As we hit the “mid-point” of this series, be sure to check out the offensive lists: Quarterbacks, Running Backs, Wide Receivers, Tight Ends, and Offensive Linemen. In this list, we’ll look at edge rushers who could fit in as traditional 4-3 ends or 3-4 outside linebackers.

Quickly becoming a highly sought after position at the top of drafts, the 2020 class of edge rushers is led by a star in the making in Chase Young. He is followed by high-potential prospects who are prime candidates to hear their names in the top half of next April’s draft.

Not only does Chase Young top this list, he also tops most analysts’ overall defensive boards. He’s an incredible athlete whose high motor and speed will see him taken in the top-5 of the NFL Draft.

The first thing that stands out about Young is his burst off the line. Coupled with his top-end speed, he is a nightmare for tackles who can’t match his get off. While Young can get himself in trouble by running too far into the backfield, this isn’t such a common occurrence that it should raise concerns.  He possesses fast and intelligent hands that keep many tackles from even putting their hands on him.

Young also has a broad arsenal of pass rush moves that can get him out of a bind, including a strong bull rush. From a technical standpoint, there aren’t many flaws in his game as a pass rusher.

The area I’d most like to see him improve is his run defense. Young is far too superior an athlete to handle run plays the way he does. He’s shown on numerous occasions, particularly the game-ending tackle vs. Penn State, that he can be the same force against the run as he is the pass. That said, the difference in his attack for both is fairly obvious. He sees dollar signs on passing downs and is relentless on his path to the quarterback. On run plays, that same tenacity isn’t always present.

Despite this one fixable hiccup in his game, there is still no doubt that Young’s unbelievable athleticism will make him an excellent pick for any team picking at the top of next year’s draft.