4 players the Commanders could have drafted instead of Chase Young

Which players could the Washington Commanders have selected instead of defensive end Chase Young in the 2020 NFL Draft?

There were no doubting Chase Young‘s credentials coming out of Ohio State. The defensive end was seen as a generational talent after a phenomenal college career, which was further enhanced by an exceptional period of testing at the NFL Scouting Combine and other prominent assessment events.

Everyone knew what the Cincinnati Bengals were going to do at No. 1 overall. Joe Burrow was the consensus top choice and based on how the quarterback’s performed over the last three years, he’s more than living up to expectations.

The Washington Commanders picked Young at No. 2 overall. But after an encouraging rookie season, things have not gone according to plan thanks to injuries and poor performance levels.

Hindsight is a wonderful thing to possess, especially where the NFL Draft is concerned. However, unless Young bounces back during the upcoming campaign, the Commanders would have been better off taking these four players instead.

Player No. 1

Commanders could have drafted Andrew Thomas

After the Washington Commanders traded stud left tackle Trent Williams to the San Francisco 49ers for the equivalent of magic beans, those in power could have identified his successor via the 2020 NFL Draft. Andrew Thomas was taken No. 4 overall by the New York Giants and after a baptism of fire as a rookie, quickly emerged into one of the league’s premier blindside protectors.

Thomas was nothing short of phenomenal in 2022, giving up three sacks and conceding two penalties from 1,049 snaps en route to a whopping 89.1 grade from Pro Football Focus. The Commanders could have used someone like that protecting the quarterback last season.