We know that the Commanders have about three weeks left to decide on picking up Chase Young’s fifth-year option, which would guarantee Young $17.45 million in 2024 despite the defensive lineman missing most of the last two years.
Here’s something that may make that decision harder for the Commanders: Jeff Okudah, the cornerback selected No. 3 overall (one pick behind Young) in 2020, was dealt from Detroit to Atlanta Tuesday for just a fifth-round pick, meaning Young’s trade value right now is probably that at best now, and who knows what come May 1 when the option decision is in the books.
“Okudah has been injured like Chase Young and, frankly, has disappointed, and he was flipped for a fifth-round pick,” Grant Paulsen said Tuesday, “so if Okudah is worth a fifth-rounder, what is the market for Chase Young?”
“Fourth is the number that jumps into my mind, but the caveat is that I’m probably the worst at predicting NFL trade values,” Danny Rouhier replied. “To me though, the name recognition dwarfs Jeff Okudah’s, and I think there’s still a rep out there that Chase Young just needs a little nudge in the right direction or the right coach, and all of a sudden he’ll be a dominant player. He’s the guy that when the broadcasters come to town and get ready for their broadcast, they want him mic’ed up and want to talk to him pregame. And, people outside think maybe DC is why he didn’t thrive.”
Grant is “not convinced” his value is better than that, but he wouldn’t consider trading Young for anything less than a three…assuming, that is, either the Commanders or his new team plan to pick up that option.
“Now, the team that brings him in would have to expect to sign him, and I think picking up his fifth-year option would help, because you’d have multiple years to evaluate him instead of adding a guy who is going to be a free agent,” Grant said. “But let’s just ask what he’s worth from a sheer talent and upside standpoint – and I think he’s worth a third-round pick.”
Grant then went into how Jeff Okudah had an awful rookie year while Chase Young was the Defensive Player of the Year that season, and their reps were completely opposite, which is why Young has more value than Okudah did on Tuesday.
“I guess maybe that’s a little bit hopeful, but to your point, his name is still huge,” Grant said. “When people talk about him, they still talk about how he’s a beast and was killing it before the injury. I think sometimes perception becomes reality a bit, though, and that’s what drives value.”
“It’s worth it to throw a mid-round pick out there, right, because you’re the guy that found this Hall of Fame talent for next to nothing,” Danny shot back. “It was consensus, the whole industry that evaluates the Draft for a living, said he was can’t miss, and that’s what matters.”
Then again, Grant noted how frequent FAN guest Ben Standig wrote how the Dolphins gave up a future one for Bradley Chubb, who may be what Chase Young is in two years, so it’s all relative – and both hosts agreed that if they can get a one right now for Young, they should make that deal yesterday.
Maybe we’ll know more in three weeks, whether it be because Young was traded or had his option picked up or not…and maybe we’ll never know?
Follow Grant & Danny on Twitter: @granthpaulsen & @funnydanny
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