Redskins 7-round February mock draft: Defense early, offense late

I could be dramatic here and go with some weird pick, but let’s be honest: If we’re doing this seven-round mock with likelihoods in mind, then Chase Young is the pick in Round 1 87 times out of 100.

There’s a chance the Redskins trade back and acquire more picks, or fall in love with another prospect at No. 2, but such a fate demands that they haven’t already fallen in love with Young. And as Pro Football Network’s Tony Pauline reported, via Matt Valdovinos, it seems to be too late for that.

“I will tell you this,” Pauline said. “I said weeks ago that in my Q&A segment that Ron Rivera, who took over the Washington Redskins, loves Chase Young. I’ve not heard that that has changed. I’m told that he loves The Predator and [Young] reminds him of Julius Peppers. As of right now, it’s very likely the way they’re going to go.”

It’s not an inaccurate association on Rivera’s part, if Pauline’s report is true. Young has outrageous athleticism for his 6-foot-5, 265-pound frame, and while he can add more power and polish to his game in certain facets, he’s very much a blue-chip prospect, with the burst, speed, length, and relentless motor to be a trend-setter on defense.

Watching Young’s tape, his ability to simply impact the play from the edge position is second to none in the 2020 NFL Draft, and while Nick Bosa may have been a more secure prospect at this point in time last year, as Pauline noted, the difference is minuscule in the grand scheme of things. Young’s developmental upside is higher than that of Bosa’s, and with a defensive coaching staff consisting of Rivera and Jack Del Rio, his otherworldly traits should be maximized.