Injuries derailed what was a promising season for the New Orleans Saints, and Bleacher Report‘s Kristopher Knox believes the team could trade star pass rusher Chase Young. The second-overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, Young began what was supposed to be a Hall of Fame career by winning Defensive Rookie of the Year honors and earning a Pro Bowl selection. Unfortunately, a series of injuries prevented him from reaching his ceiling and he had to sign a one-year, prove-it deal with the Saints as a free agent. Through seven games with his new team, Young has recorded 1.5 sacks and a 55.7 PFF grade.
Now set to hit the open market, the decimated Saints have no reason to keep him on the roster. While Young probably won’t ever justify his pre-draft billing as an elite pass-rushing prospect, he’s still a talented player who could thrive in a situational role. Looking around the league, the Baltimore Ravens and Detroit Lions make the most sense as potential destinations.
And if New Orleans begins rebuilding in 2025, it may have to do so with budget contracts and rookie deals. The Saints are projected to be $97.6 million over the cap next offseason. Trading pass-rusher Chase Young, who is on a one-year, $13 million deal, would provide no 2025 cap relief. However, it would net the Saints some valuable draft capital. Young has tallied 1.5 sacks and 13 quarterback pressures in seven games this season.
Bleacher Report Thinks Saints Could Trade Chase Young – Lions, Ravens Possible Landing Spots
The Baltimore Ravens have two reliable edge defenders in Kyle Van Noy and former first-round pick Odafe Oweh, but there is always room for more talent. Historically speaking, head coach John Harbaugh prefers rostering three edge defenders capable of taking down the quarterback, but he doesn’t have that right now. The Ravens never found a proper replacement for the departed Jadeveon Clowney, but they could get one if they trade for Chase Young.
Despite their 5-2 record, Baltimore’s defense has not carried their weight thus far in 2024. The unit currently ranks 28th in EPA/dropback allowed, which isn’t good enough for a team with Super Bowl aspirations. Van Noy and Oweh can pressure the quarterback, but adding a third option off the edge should only make life easier for a struggling secondary that must play better to finally hoist the Lombardi Trophy.
Replacing Aidan Hutchinson
After decades of ineptitude, Dan Campbell and the Detroit Lions are legitimate Super Bowl contenders. Led by an elite offense and an opportunistic defense, this team has a chance to go all the way and finally bring a championship to the Motor City. However, their odds of winning it all took a major hit when superstar pass rusher Aidan Hutchinson suffered a leg injury against the Dallas Cowboys. Hutchinson is arguably the best pass rusher in football, and nobody can replace his production. However, a Chase Young trade could minimize the damage and keep this defense playing at a championship level.
You never want to lose a player like Hutchinson, but Detroit’s underwhelming depth chart makes this loss even more damaging. James Houston and Josh Paschal are nothing more than adequate role players, and Detroit needs a better pass rush to beat the NFL’s elite teams. Injuries likely eliminated the odds of Chase Young becoming a perennial Pro Bowler, but the trade candidate is an adequate starter who could provide the Lions with some much-needed stability at the position.
Main Photo: Stephen Lew – USA Today Sports
