Washington Football Team: 3 players who need to step up after Montez Sweat injury

1. Chase Young

This one might seem obvious, but that doesn’t mean Chase Young shouldn’t qualify for the top spot on this list. Without his running mate, the former No. 2 overall pick will need to take his game to another level.

That goes without saying, but Young has largely underwhelmed this season given the hype he garnered as a rookie when he compiled 44 tackles (10 for loss), 7.5 sacks, 12 QB hits, four forced fumbles, four pass breakups, three fumble recoveries and 40 pressures en route to taking home Defensive Rookie of the Year honors.

Through eight games in 2021, however, Young has managed 25 tackles (three for loss), four QB hits, two forced fumbles, two pass breakups, and 23 pressures. See what we’re saying? In a year many expected Young to make that Pro Bowl, or even All-Pro, leap, he’s on pace to produce similar numbers to his rookie campaign.

That isn’t to say Young is playing poorly, obviously. His pass-rush win rate is still elite and the box score never tells the full story of a defensive lineman’s impact, but there have been far too many instances this season where the 22-year-old superstar has been invisible in games before making a splash play.

Fans just expect better, and rightly so considering the rookie year he put together. Young’s job won’t get any easier without Sweat, but he has the requisite tools at his disposal to carry the defense without his partner in crime.

We’ll know soon enough if he’s up to the challenge.