Commanders 7-round 2023 NFL mock draft: Striking lucky edition

Commanders draft Byron Young

• Defensive Line | Tennessee Volunteers

Adding to the defensive line wouldn’t be the Washington Commanders’ biggest need compared to others. But improving depth is something that should be contemplated at the right time.

This bears more significance when one considers Montez Sweat and Chase Young are on the lookout for new deals. It’ll be difficult to keep both happy – especially with the money tied up in Daron Payne and Jonathan Allen – so a contingency plan must be put in place.

If Byron Young is available at this point of the draft, the Commanders could do far worse than look in his direction. The versatile player can operate on the edge or as a three-technique on the interior, which is always highly valued by NFL teams when identifying prospects of interest from the collegiate level.

Young thrives against the run and has an exceptional motor for a man his size. His frame already looks ready to make an instant contribution thanks to his flexibility and ability to put his eye-catching leverage to good use.

The former Tennessee star isn’t the most explosive coming off the edge. But this represents a decent rotational option for the Commanders that can emerge as a potential starting-caliber candidate if Sweat or Young end up departing the organization in the not-too-distant future.